PHILADELPHI ROUTE

Narrow corridor of land along the border betweenEgyptand theGaza Strip; in biblical times, a major trading route. Rife with tunnels used byPalestiniansto smuggle weapons and ammunition from Egypt, as well as illegal drugs and other items for sale on the black market. In May 2004, theIsrael Defense Forces(IDF) launchedOperation Rainbowlargely to destroy the tunnels and damage theterroristinfrastructure in the Gaza Strip. When Israel completed its unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in September 2005, it transferred control over the Philadelphi Route to the Egyptian army, which became responsible for security, including stopping smuggling and terrorist incursions.

See alsoUnilateral Disengagement (Hitnatkut, Tokhnit Hahitnatkut).