Challenges persist in controlling Hamas tunnels amid political uncertainty

Experts have suggested according to The Guardian that technological measures such as surveillance and ground sensors could play a key role in monitoring and controlling efforts to reconstruct Hamas smuggling tunnels.

The Philadelphi Corridor is a narrow strip of land approximately nine miles (14 km) long and 100 meters wide, situated along the Gaza-Egypt border, including the Rafah crossing. Designated as a demilitarized zone following the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, it extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel. Under the 1979 Camp David peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, Israel was permitted to station a limited number of troops in the corridor, but not heavy armour.

After the Israeli withdrawal, responsibility for the area fell to Egypt and the Palestinian Authority, with 750 Egyptian police stationed there to curb smuggling. However, after Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, the corridor became a hotspot for smuggling activities. Israel reoccupied the area in May this year as part of its ground offensive into Rafah. Efforts to combat smuggling, including flooding on the Egyptian side and Israeli airstrikes, have had limited success. Smuggling via underground tunnels has continued, with Hamas exploiting these routes to bring in weapons. There is also evidence that some arms smuggling has shifted to the Mediterranean in recent years. Egypt remains opposed to a heavy Israeli military presence on its border, stating that such a presence would jeopardize the peace treaty.

Why is it an issue now? 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to maintain Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor, including the Rafah crossing, following its capture in May, which has raised concerns in Egypt. This development has significant diplomatic repercussions and could complicate ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, as well as efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by the group. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reported discovering numerous tunnels in the corridor during their operations.

Is this a new thing?

Not entirely. The status of the Philadelphi Corridor has been a concern for Netanyahu for some time. Even before Israeli forces took control of the corridor, Netanyahu stated in January—three months into the Gaza conflict—that Israel aimed to control the Gaza-Egypt border.