Rafah, April 12 (RHC)-- The Israeli army has now completely encircled Rafah in southern Gaza, cutting it off from the rest of the occupied territory.  

Israel Katz, Israel’s defense minister, says the country’s army has seized what it calls the “Morag Corridor” -- a route in southern Gaza that cuts off Rafah from the rest of the Strip.  This move effectively turns Rafah into an “Israeli security zone,” he said.

In a statement, Katz threatened Palestinians in Gaza, saying: “This is the last chance to banish Hamas and release all hostages, stopping the war.”  If they do not do as he says, he went on, Israeli operations will spread to “most of Gaza’s territory.”

Katz also said that the Netzarim Corridor, a route that divides the Strip in two, will also be expanded. Israel withdrew from the Netzarim Corridor briefly during the ceasefire earlier this year, only to seize it again when it resumed hostilities.

“Willful passage,” he continued, will be granted for Palestinians who wish to flee Gaza, mentioning again U.S. President Trump’s plan to remove Palestinians from Gaza.