Philadelphi Route

   Narrow corridor of land along the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip; in biblical times, a major trading route. Rife with tunnels used by Palestinians to smuggle weapons and ammunition from Egypt, as well as illegal drugs and other items for sale on the black market. In May 2004, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched Operation Rainbow largely to destroy the tunnels and damage the terrorist infrastructure 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 also Unilateral Disengagement (Hitnatkut, Tokhnit Hahitnatkut).