IDF to leave Netzarim corridor bisecting Gaza Strip tomorrow morning
As part of the hostage deal, the IDF is set to withdraw from a critical strategic position bisecting the Gaza Strip.
The IDF will evacuate the Netzarim corridor bisecting the northern Gaza Strip, including Gaza City and its affiliated towns, from the rest of the strip at 6:00 AM tomorrow morning, in accordance with the terms of the hostage deal.
The Netzarim corridor is a long existing area dividing the two areas of the Gaza Strip, ever since the Six Day War, allowing the IDF to maintain important security control of the Strip, especially against terrorists and during terrorist operations.
The IDF occupied it early in the war in order to isolate important forces of Hamas in the north and cut it off from any reinforcements as it launched major offensives against neighborhoods in Gaza City, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun.
A few months later, the IDF announced that it would remain in the corridor in a semi-permanent fashion for military purposes, paving a regular high-speed road and a number of checkpoints and military bases, which have been held by a number of IDF divisions over the course of the war.
The IDF used this position to launch multiple raids against Hamas forces threatening the corridor on both sides, often using the momentum to expand IDF control of the corridor and thus better secure its position there.
Throughout the war, Israel kept the Netzarim corridor closed to either foot or vehicle traffic of civilians, for fear that terrorists would try to smuggle themselves into the northern Strip and endanger IDF forces there.
After the hostage deal was signed, the corridor was meant to be opened up after the first few rounds of exchanges. However, due to Hamas' failure to release Arbel Yehud, Israel said the corridor would remain closed until Yehud was freed.
Once a guarantee of her release, which took place this week, occurred, the corridor was opened to unfettered foot traffic and inspected vehicular traffic.