Morag Corridor

Morag Corridor is a military security line established by Israel in 2025 between the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. The corridor was constructed to enhance Israel’s control over Gaza and to effectively divide the region along a north-south axis. It derives its name from a former Israeli settlement that existed in the area between 1972 and 2005.

Establishment and Geographic Features

The Israeli military established the Morag Corridor through operations conducted by units under the 36th Division. The corridor spans approximately 12 kilometers in length and 1.5 kilometers in width. It separates the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis and has cut off transportation routes in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

The Morag Corridor isolates Rafah from Khan Yunis and severs the primary land connection extending from Gaza City in the north to Rafah in the south. A buffer zone up to 1.2 kilometers wide has been declared around the Gaza Strip. Together with other Israeli-controlled military areas, this zone divides Gaza into fragmented regions. The Israeli military has established temporary outposts along the corridor, and military units have been deployed to secure so-called humanitarian aid centers in the area.

Strategic Importance

The Israeli government has identified the Morag Corridor as a critical area for military control. By separating Rafah from the rest of Gaza, the corridor has disrupted intercity land connections. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has compared the corridor to the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egyptian border, describing it as the “second Philadelphi.”

During ceasefire negotiations held in Doha, Qatar, Israel’s insistence on maintaining its military presence in the Morag Corridor became a point of irreconcilable disagreement between the parties. Hamas has demanded Israel’s complete withdrawal from the area, while Israel has labeled its presence there as a “red line.”

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has stated that the Morag Corridor obstructs the planned ceasefire agreement that would involve the release of hostages in Gaza.

Role in Forced Displacement Plans

Following the establishment of the Morag Corridor by the Israeli military, approximately 171,000 Palestinians living in Rafah were forcibly displaced. The Israeli administration has planned to establish temporary shelter areas consisting of tents and caravans in the region under the designation of a “humanitarian city.” The initial phase aims to relocate 600,000 people, with the eventual goal of relocating the entire population of Gaza to this area.

It has been reported that Israel intends to restrict the area south of the corridor, where it maintains control over Rafah, for Palestinian habitation. The area around Gaza, extending up to 1.2 kilometers in width, will be used by Israel as a buffer zone.

International organizations have stated that the creation of the Morag Corridor has deepened the humanitarian crisis in southern Gaza, restricted civilians’ access to basic necessities, and blocked access to safe zones. The corridor has also limited the operations of humanitarian aid centers in and around Rafah.