Gaza"s southern border: rubble and tunnels amid cease-fire talks

In Rafah, Gaza Strip, the Israeli military conducted a rare tour for journalists, showcasing the devastation along Gaza's southern border, a critical point in ongoing cease-fire negotiations. The area, known as the Philadelphi corridor, has been under Israeli control since May, with Prime Minister Netanyahu insisting on maintaining this control in any cease-fire agreement, a stance opposed by both Hamas and Egypt. The tour revealed a stark landscape, with fresh asphalt roads replacing destroyed routes and remnants of flattened buildings scattered throughout the region. The military highlighted the presence of tunnels allegedly used by Hamas for smuggling weapons, despite Egypt's claims of sealing off these tunnels years ago. The nearby Tel el-Sultan district displayed extensive destruction, with piles of wreckage from homes and partially standing apartment buildings. Israeli forces continue to engage in combat with Hamas militants, who are believed to operate from a complex network of tunnels beneath the district. During the tour, an Israeli military spokesman revealed that troops had recently discovered a tunnel linked to a tragic incident where six Israeli hostages were killed. The discovery was made accidentally by a bulldozer, leading to the recovery of the bodies. The military is now focused on gathering forensic evidence to identify and apprehend those responsible for this act. Since the onset of the conflict following the Hamas attack on October 7, approximately 1.4 million Palestinians have been displaced, with many seeking refuge in Rafah. The Israeli government has restricted independent media access to Gaza, allowing only a limited number of escorted visits to document the ongoing situation.