Yedioth Ahronoth confirmed that smuggling into Gaza occurred before the Philadelphi Tunnels and that the ground operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip “has ended” pending a political decision to withdraw through a swap deal, or without it.

The Hebrew newspaper indicated in a report that the Israeli army leaders realized, with the passing of days, weeks and months of fighting in Rafah, that most of the smuggling operations were taking place above ground and not through the tunnels in “Philadelphi”.

The newspaper wrote: “These leaders realized that the smuggling of weapons and raw materials needed to produce ammunition in the Gaza Strip had been carried out over the years generally above ground and without hindrance, and not through the Philadelphi Tunnels.”

She added: “Hamas even blew up many of the tunnels itself in order to close them, and it was later found that they were blocked on the Egyptian side as well.”

The Israeli newspaper considered that all the reports of the Israeli military correspo
ndents coming from Rafah have the first and last goal of embarrassing the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and it says: “He no longer has anything to do in Rafah, not even in the Philadelphi corridor.”

Source: Maan News Agency