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Source: http://www.haaretz.com/news/high-court-to-renew-debate-on-idf-house-demolitions-in-rafah-1.122438
IDF to Widen Philadelphia Corridor Between Egypt and Gaza
(Jerusalem Post) - Prime Minister Sharon, Defense Minister Mofaz, and other top officials on Thursday approved an IDF plan to widen the Philadelphia corridor in southern Gaza along the Egyptian border, political sources said on Friday. "It's a measure that we are taking to provide better protection for armored personnel carriers and the soldiers, and to reshape that theater of war so we will enjoy an advantage and not the Palestinians," one Israeli official said about the corridor, where five troops were killed on Wednesday. Palestinians carry out daily attacks against Israeli positions and soldiers in the area adjoining Rafah refugee camp. (Ha'aretz) Widening the corridor will require demolishing abandoned as well as populated dwellings adjacent to the border area on the Palestinian side. Some of the buildings have been used by Palestinians as bases of operation, while others have been commandeered by Palestinian gunmen from civilians. One official noted that if and when the disengagement plan will be put into action, Israel will maintain control of the area. Widening the corridor will disrupt Palestinian weapons smuggling tunnels activity.