Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday that Israeli forces are establishing a new security corridor in southern Gaza, aiming to isolate the city of Rafah from the rest of the Strip and increase pressure on Hamas to release remaining hostages. In a video statement, Netanyahu said the IDF is securing the “Morag Corridor” — named after a former Israeli settlement — between Rafah and Khan Younis. He described the effort as creating a “second Philadelphi” route, echoing the corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border. Netanyahu has prioritized Israeli control of the Philadelphi Corridor in ongoing ceasefire talks, although Israel previously agreed to vacate the area by the 50th day of the January hostage deal — a commitment it has since breached. Instead, Israeli forces have expanded their presence there. The IDF has also reinforced control over the “Netzarim Corridor,” which divides northern Gaza, including Gaza City, from the rest of the territory. Both corridors stretch from Israel’s border to the Mediterranean Sea and are central to Israel’s broader campaign to pressure Hamas into agreeing to a ceasefire and hostage deal. “We are now cutting off the Strip and increasing the pressure… until they give us our hostages,” Netanyahu declared. The IDF has deployed a third division to Gaza, intensifying its offensive with over 50 airstrikes overnight and dozens more throughout the day. The military says the strikes targeted Hamas infrastructure, including a command center in a UN clinic in Jabalia. Palestinian sources reported over 40 deaths, including 19 at the clinic, though those numbers remain unverified. Following rocket fire from northern Gaza on Wednesday — intercepted near Sderot with no casualties — the IDF issued evacuation orders for Beit Hanoun and Jabalia, warning of imminent strikes. Similar warnings were issued for Rafah and the area north to Khan Younis, where Israeli troops have not yet operated extensively. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar visited troops in Rafah’s Tel Sultan neighborhood, both reaffirming that the offensive would continue until the release of the 59 remaining hostages, including at least 35 confirmed dead. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)