Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Daniel Hagari stated Wednesday, "Our operations in Rafah have confirmed the intelligence that compelled us to operate in Rafah in the first place. Hamas turned the Philadelphi route into a central Hamas hotbed of terror. We have now gained operational control over the Philadelphi route in Rafah."

The nearly nine-mile corridor, which runs across the entire southern edge of the Gaza Strip from the sea, was originally intended to prevent weapons and ammunition smuggling from Egyptian territory into Gaza.

Instead, Israel claims the corridor served as Hamas' lifeline, through which the terror group regularly smuggled weapons.

Hagari listed what the IDF has found: "Dozens of rockets, launchers with rockets inside ready to be fired at Israeli homes next to the border with Egypt. These are the same rocket launchers that Hamas used to fire around 70 rockets and mortars at millions of Israelis in the last recent weeks, including the recent rocket attack against Tel Aviv." (Screengrab image: via CBN News)

The military also found a nearly eight-mile subterranean tunnel network extending to about 20 tunnels, with explosives, grenades, and AK-47s inside. Hagari says Hamas is also holding the hostages there.

"Hamas is holding our hostages in (a) living Hell across our border in Gaza, including in Rafah," he declared. "We will not stop fighting for their freedom. Every decent country in the world would do the same."

Meanwhile, the White House says there's a new ceasefire offer on the table.

National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby announced, "There is a fresh proposal that's being worked, and I can tell you that the Israelis are fully supportive of this fresh proposal and as beforehave been willing to deal in good faith on this."

Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel's national security advisor, told Israel Public Radio that fighting in Gaza would continue for at least another seven months.

In Biblical Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) terrorists wearing Hamas gear filmed themselves shooting from the Palestinian city of Tulkarem toward an Israeli community.

Later, another terrorist killed two soldiers in a car-ramming attack in Nablus.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with visiting Former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, who encouraged Israelis to remain focused.

"Israel is fighting America's enemies, and I will say to you and to anybody in Israel: tune out the noise," she exhorted. "You know what your job is. Let's get the hostages home, let's beat Hamas, let's make sure Lebanon knows not to try or do anything."

Netanyahu thanked Haley for her visit and added, "I want you to know how much we appreciate the fact that you are standing with us and so too the majority of the American people. So, they understand that those who want to kill us, want to kill you."

Haley responded, "That's right." Then Netanyahu added, "Those who chant 'Death to Israel' also chant 'Death to America.' So, our victory is your victory." Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Julie Stahl is a correspondent for CBN News in the Middle East.

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