Major General Eliezer Toledano, head of the IDF's Strategic Directorate, told government ministers today (Sunday) that the IDF's hold on significant territories captured in the Gaza Strip during the war is essential to achieving its goals.
According to a report by Ariel Kahane in Israel Hayom, Toledano said these things in response to a question from Minister Amichai Shikli, who asked what the operational conditions were necessary for the IDF to seize power in order to achieve the war's goals.
In response, the major general, who has been representing the army's positions in government meetings since the outbreak of the war, explained that it is essential that the IDF continue to hold the Netzarim Corridor, the Philadelphia Axis, and the Perimeter.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
In addition, the major general said that the IDF's freedom of movement in the Gaza Strip must be maintained, as well as at sea. The land areas constitute more than 20 percent of Gaza's territory.
Wicker corridor - Approximately 5 km wide, it dissects the Gaza Strip between north and south, and, among other things, prevents Hamas from sending its forces back to the northern part of the Strip. The Prime Minister's Office announced this evening in this context: "The return of thousands of armed terrorists to the northern Strip will not be allowed.".
In addition, the IDF is taking operational operations out of the corridor into the Gaza Strip.
Philadelphia axis - The distinction between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and the Israeli grip on it, on the ground and below it, prevents the continuation of arms smuggling to Hamas. In this context, Netanyahu's office said: "Arms smuggling to Hamas from the Gaza border to Egypt will not be allowed.".
The perimeter - It is a strip about a kilometer wide, the entire length of the Gaza Strip, between it and Israel. Its purpose is to create a killing zone, where any unauthorized person who penetrates the perimeter is at risk of being shot by IDF soldiers.
