SOFREP Daily: Israel Cuts Gaza with New Corridor, Kim Jong Un Test-Fires New Sniper Rifle

Welcome to Sunday, April 6, 2025. Here’s your weekend briefing on the latest in defense and global affairs.

Israel Cuts Gaza with New Corridor

Israeli troops have deployed to a newly created security corridor in southern Gaza, called the Morag Corridor, as part of an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing remaining hostages.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the corridor would cut off Rafah from the rest of Gaza, similar to Israel’s previously established Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors.

🪖 Troops of the 36th Division have returned to operate in the Gaza Strip and began their activity in the Morag Corridor, where IDF troops are operating for the first time.

These activities are part of broader IDF operations both within the Gaza Strip and in additional arenas.… pic.twitter.com/p27HIxtSAe

— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) April 5, 2025

The move follows the collapse of a ceasefire and a renewed Israeli offensive that has killed over 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Israel has also blocked aid to Gaza and aims to seize more territory as part of its strategy.

The new Morag corridor cuts off Rafah from Kahn Yunis.

Israel will essentially have full control of Rafah. https://t.co/WgxRCxTo7I pic.twitter.com/WVcXo11S7R

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 2, 2025

Meanwhile, Netanyahu is set to meet President Trump again, following controversial suggestions to resettle displaced Palestinians outside Gaza.

Hamas demands a lasting ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, and prisoner exchanges in return for the remaining hostages.

US Presses Lebanon to Rein in Hezbollah

Deputy US Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus visited Beirut on Saturday to push Lebanon to strengthen control over its territory, enforce a ceasefire with Israel, and curb Hezbollah’s armed presence.

Ortagus met with top Lebanese officials and emphasized that the Lebanese army must assert authority across all regions, not just south of the Litani River.

She also pressed for tighter control along the Syrian border to prevent arms smuggling and reduce tensions following recent clashes.

Ortagus welcomed Lebanon’s willingness to engage in diplomacy over Israeli withdrawal from five southern positions and praised the government’s reform efforts.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah ally Nabih Berri criticized ongoing Israeli airstrikes, which Israel claims target militant groups.

US Air Force Academy Cuts Civilian Faculty

US Air Force Academy Superintendent Tony Bauernfeind has proposed cutting over 100 civilian faculty positions without replacing them with uniformed instructors, potentially forcing the elimination of some academic majors.

The plan aims to increase uniformed faculty to 80 percent and reduce civilian faculty to 20 percent, cutting total faculty below 400.

The Air Force Academy superintendent is proposing to cut civilian faculty positions without hiring uniformed instructors to replace them — a change that could eliminate some majors.https://t.co/A3AbU7VvvM

— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) April 5, 2025

The move has sparked concern among cadets and faculty, with cadets urging action on social media. The change would require approval from the Secretary of the Air Force.

Critics argue the proposal threatens educational quality, while supporters, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, want more military instructors to counter perceived ideological bias in academia.

Russia Loses 4,000 Tanks in Ukraine

Russia has lost over 4,000 tanks in its war against Ukraine, a figure nearly equal to the entire US tank inventory, according to General Christopher Cavoli, head of US European Command. He called the scale of the conflict “awe-inspiring” during a Senate hearing on Thursday.

Cavoli warned that withholding US military and intelligence aid would severely weaken Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.

Since the invasion began in February 2022, the US has sent tens of billions in aid, but no new packages have been announced since President Donald Trump returned to office earlier this year.

Zelenskyy Hosts Talks on Peacekeeping Force

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently met British and French military leaders in Kyiv to discuss a potential European-led peacekeeping force, despite US President Donald Trump’s resistance to providing security guarantees.

The proposed force, which may include 10,000–30,000 troops, would require US support to deter Russian retaliation.

Important meeting between our military and Chiefs of Defense Staff of partners – Admiral Sir Tony Radakin @AdmTonyRadakin_ of the United Kingdom and General Thierry Burkhard @CEMA_FR of France. We are working to ensure security in Ukraine and to establish reliable security… pic.twitter.com/NreW4az6WC

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 5, 2025

Discussions will continue at the upcoming Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels.

Meanwhile, the death toll from a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih rose to 18, including nine children.

NEW | Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 5, 2025:

European and NATO officials emphasized that a strong Ukrainian military backed by European security guarantees remains the most effective deterrent against future Russian aggression to ensure long-term peace in Ukraine… pic.twitter.com/MtROiE5ZnL

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) April 5, 2025

Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s continued attacks and criticized the US ambassador for failing to explicitly name Russia as the perpetrator.

Russia claimed its strike targeted a military meeting, but Ukraine rejected the claim.

Kim Jong Un Test-Fires New Sniper Rifle

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un test-fired a newly developed sniper rifle during an inspection of special forces, praising their training as key to wartime victory, state media reported Saturday.

Images showed Kim overseeing rifle drills and expressing satisfaction with the weapon’s performance.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un tested his new sniper rifle and hit the target with pinpoint accuracy. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ymKIcvvMFF

— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) April 5, 2025

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) highlighted the rifle as a new addition to special operations units.

The visit coincided with South Korea’s Constitutional Court ousting President Yoon Suk Yeol for attempting martial law.

KCNA acknowledged the impeachment while US media reported Donald Trump claims to be in communication with Kim and plans to reengage.

Cambodia Unveils Base Backed by China

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet inaugurated the renovated Ream Naval Base on Saturday, asserting transparency amid US concerns over China’s involvement.

The naval base, upgraded with Chinese support, is seen by Washington as a potential strategic outpost for Beijing near the contested South China Sea.

Hun Manet denied exclusive Chinese use, invited international participation, and emphasized the base’s openness.

Cambodia’s leader Hun Manet said Saturday there was “nothing to hide” as he inaugurated the Ream Naval Base, located off Cambodia’s southern coast, renovated in recent years by China and which the US fear it could give Beijing a key strategic position.https://t.co/p5QhrguMUz

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 5, 2025

Chinese military officials praised the partnership, calling the base a sign of strong bilateral ties.

The base will host joint drills, including Golden Dragon in May.

The US and Japan have recently engaged with Cambodia amid growing Chinese influence in the region.

India Signs Defense, Energy Deals with Sri Lanka

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka on Saturday to launch construction of a joint solar power plant and to strengthen bilateral ties through energy and defense agreements.

Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized shared security interests, particularly in the Indian Ocean, and pledged cooperation under the Colombo Security Conclave.

India aims to counter China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka, which has received significant Chinese loans and hosts a Chinese-controlled port.

Key agreements have been signed between India and Sri Lanka which will add vigour to our friendship. Important projects were also inaugurated, which will benefit countless people of Sri Lanka. India will always support the people of Sri Lanka in their development trajectory. https://t.co/3pHNFVmuS1

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 5, 2025

While India has provided vital aid during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, some Sri Lankans protested the new agreements, accusing the government of yielding to Indian dominance.

Modi was honored with Sri Lanka’s highest award for a foreign leader.

Sources: News Agencies