(April 6, 2025 / JNS) The Israel Defense Forces recently escalated its ground operation in the Gaza Strip by assigning the 36th Division, aka the Rage Formation, to a new security area known as the Morag Corridor.

This corridor now serves as a buffer between the Strip’s southernmost city of Rafah and central Gaza, forming part of a broader campaign to pressure Hamas into releasing Israeli hostages and dismantling its operational networks.

This escalation falls under the broader framework of “Operation Strength and Sword,” which was launched on March 18 after the breakdown of a ceasefire agreement. Since then, the IDF has intensified air and ground operations across Gaza, targeting infrastructure linked to Hamas. The stated objective remains the elimination of terrorist threats and the safe return of hostages.