Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the IDF is creating a new security corridor across southern Gaza to cut off the city of Rafah from the rest of the Strip and increase pressure on Hamas to release the hostages. The IDF is seizing the 'Morag Corridor' which separates Rafah from Khan Younis. This move is part of an escalating military campaign to press Hamas into accepting Israeli terms for a ceasefire and hostage release deal. The IDF has significantly increased its offensive, deploying another division to the southern Gaza Strip and carrying out heavy airstrikes.