The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intensified operations along the Morag corridor in southern Gaza this week, reaffirming its determination to pursue Hamas terrorists “everywhere” and vowing not to rest until all hostages abducted during the October 7th massacre are returned to Israel. The renewed commitment comes as the campaign in Gaza enters a decisive phase, with strategic efforts targeting Hamas infrastructure and leadership while facing continued threats from Iran-backed terror networks throughout the region.
The October 7th terrorist attack, orchestrated by the Hamas organization and its collaborators, remains the deadliest antisemitic atrocity committed since the Holocaust. More than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were murdered, and over 250 men, women, and children were violently kidnapped from their homes and communities, marking an unprecedented escalation in Hamas’s campaign of terror. These hostages—taken forcibly and held illegally in Gaza—have become a central focus of Israel’s military and diplomatic efforts. Their status as innocent civilians distinguishes them morally and legally from convicted terrorists who have been released in past exchanges, as recognized by Israeli officials and international law.
Since launching Operation Iron Swords in the immediate aftermath of the attack, the IDF, under the leadership of Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, has employed a combination of ground maneuvers, targeted airstrikes, and intelligence-driven raids to dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities across Gaza. The Morag corridor, adjacent to the Egyptian border, is at the forefront of these operations, given its significance as a historic smuggling route for weapons and funds directed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps into Hamas’s hands. Engineering and armored units have been methodically clearing tunnels, neutralizing launching pads, and seizing Iranian-supplied rockets and equipment.
Despite mounting global scrutiny and calls for a ceasefire, Israel has maintained that operations will persist until all strategic goals are met—above all, the extraction and safe return of hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz underscore that any cessation of hostilities without the return of kidnapped civilians would not only embolden Iran’s terror proxies but also violate Israel’s fundamental security interests.
Hamas’s Tactics and Iranian Influence
Facing mounting losses, Hamas terrorists have adapted their tactics, embedding military assets among civilian populations, exploiting hospitals, schools, and U.N. facilities as cover, and employing human shields to complicate IDF operations and maximize civilian suffering. These practices, widely documented by the IDF and independent monitoring agencies, are part of a deliberate strategy to provoke international condemnation of Israel while perpetuating the terror group’s hold over Gaza’s residents.
Iran’s direct support for Hamas—including funding, armaments, and strategic oversight—places the conflict within the broader context of the Iranian-led “Axis of Resistance,” involving Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and affiliated militias across Syria and Iraq. Israeli officials consistently note that the war in Gaza is not an isolated campaign, but part of a wider defensive effort aimed at neutralizing the infrastructure and influence of Iranian-backed terror groups threatening regional stability.
Hostage Rescue Efforts and Israeli Society
The plight of hostages remains a defining aspect of the conflict, both as a matter of national consensus and a driver of military operations. The families of those abducted have galvanized Israeli public opinion, uniting diverse segments of Israeli society around the moral imperative to secure their release. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum maintains constant pressure on the government and international actors to prioritize the hostages’ return, a demand reflected throughout every phase of the IDF campaign.
Special units of the IDF, in close cooperation with Israel’s intelligence agencies and foreign partners, have launched repeated rescues and intelligence operations targeting Hamas commanders and locations believed to be associated with the hostages. While these operations have resulted in the recovery of several abductees, the situation remains urgent and complex given Hamas’s clandestine tunnels, shifting command structure, and ongoing threats from allied terror factions in the region.
Civilian Protection and Humanitarian Measures
The IDF continues to implement procedures for protecting non-combatants, despite the operational challenges presented by Hamas’s tactics. Civilian evacuation corridors, pauses in fighting for humanitarian deliveries, and the establishment of coordination mechanisms with international relief organizations have been undertaken throughout the conflict. Israeli legal advisers conduct reviews of all operational plans to ensure compliance with international law, and allegations of misconduct are subject to robust internal examination.
The IDF’s humanitarian efforts include facilitating the passage of medical aid, food convoys, and evacuation of the wounded from combat zones, even as Hamas attempts to exploit such pauses for rearmament and repositioning. Israel has repeatedly called on Gaza’s residents to distance themselves from Hamas positions and cooperate with evacuation directives, emphasizing that the campaign’s principal targets remain terror operatives and infrastructure, not the civilian population.
International Response and Regional Risks
Support from the United States and most European democracies continues, with repeated affirmations of Israel’s right to defend itself in the face of sustained rocket attacks and cross-border provocations. However, the humanitarian impact of urban combat in Gaza has prompted ongoing diplomatic engagement and calls for further risk mitigation. President Donald Trump, maintaining close security coordination with Israel, has reiterated American opposition to Iranian ambitions and expressed continued support for dismantling terror networks.
The regional balance remains fraught as Iran and its proxies—especially Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen—threaten escalation against Israel. The IDF’s southern Gaza operations are closely watched not only by hostile actors but also by regional neighbors such as Egypt and Jordan, as well as Abraham Accords partners, concerned about the prospects for regional stability and future peace agreements.
Conclusion: National Security and Moral Resolve
The events unfolding along the Morag corridor and throughout Gaza exemplify Israel’s unwavering resolve to defend its population, uphold international norms, and confront a terror network deeply embedded in the region’s volatile landscape. The rescue of hostages and dismantling of Hamas are non-negotiable objectives, shaping both Israel’s military doctrine and its engagement with the wider world.
The IDF’s ongoing campaign draws on lessons from decades of experience with terror threats, robust security cooperation with international allies, and an enduring commitment to the protection and dignity of innocent lives. As Israeli forces continue their advance, the stakes remain clear: only by uprooting the infrastructure of Iranian-backed terror and restoring the sovereignty and security of Israel’s citizens can true regional stability be achieved.
