Israel redeploys brigade to Netzarim corridor in central Gaza Strip

September 16 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Israeli army has announced the redeployment of a brigade of the Armed Forces to the Netzarim corridor, located in the center of the Gaza Strip, amid the government’s insistence on maintaining military deployment in this corridor and in the Philadelphia corridor within the framework of any ceasefire agreement with the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

The statement said that “the soldiers of the 5th Reserve Brigade have returned to carry out manoeuvres in the centre of the Gaza Strip, under the command of the 252nd Division” after recently completing “a series of training sessions and exercises at the Ground Training Centre”.

“The forces conducted training and warfare maneuvers in open and built-up areas and increased their operational proficiency ahead of their mission in central Gaza,” he said, adding that they also “completed logistical preparation and received training in mobility, supplies and immediate medical response in the face of combat.”

The Netzarim corridor runs from the border with Israel near the town of Beeri to the coast, passing between Gaza City and Nuseirat, thus dividing the enclave in two and allowing Israel to maintain control of access to the north for displaced people seeking to return to their homes after fleeing the offensive.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly defended his decision to maintain an Israeli military presence in the Philadelphia and Netzarim corridors, a position flatly rejected by Hamas, which accuses Bibi of trying to hinder a ceasefire agreement.

Israel launched a brutal offensive against the Gaza Strip in response to the October 7 attacks, which left some 1,200 dead and nearly 250 kidnapped. Since then, Gazan authorities have recorded the deaths of more than 41,200 Palestinians, with more than 690 in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in actions by security forces and attacks by Israeli settlers.