The bodies of Israeli hostages found in a tunnel in Gaza have once again led to a rift between Israel and Hamas terrorists. A crisis has arisen over the ceasefire. However, the US is trying its best to broker a deal between the two. On the other hand, large-scale protests are taking place in Israel and Netanyahu is being strongly opposed. Apart from the release of hostages and the withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza, the Philadelphia corridor is also very important in the deal between Hamas and Israel. Hamas wants the Israeli army to leave it, while Benjamin Netanyahu remained adamant that he would not accept it at any cost. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s attitude has softened. He has assured to withdraw the army from the Philadelphia corridor. What is the reason behind this? And how important is the Philadelphia corridor for both Israel and Hamas?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to resist pressure for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. In his first public address on Monday, Netanyahu said he would continue to press for Israeli control over the Philadelphia corridor. However, on Tuesday he softened his stance and assured that his forces would ensure the withdrawal of troops from the Philadelphia corridor in the second phase of the ceasefire. However, Egypt views Netanyahu’s promise with suspicion.
Netanyahu is lying – Egypt
According to the Times of Israel, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments regarding the Philadelphia Corridor, which is located on the Egypt-Gaza border, do not seem to be correct. The statement said, “Cairo rejects the statements of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and holds him responsible for the escalation of tensions in the region.”
The statement rejected Netanyahu’s claim that Cairo had allowed Hamas to smuggle weapons across the Sinai Peninsula to Gaza and accused the prime minister of launching attacks against Egypt to distract Israeli public attention from growing criticism of his handling of the war. Egypt rejected Israel’s requirement to maintain control of the corridor indefinitely.
Why is there a rift between Israel and Hamas on the Philadelphia corridor?
The Philadelphia Corridor is 14 km (8.7 mi) long. It is located on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Netanyahu’s government believes that the Israeli army’s occupation of the corridor is necessary so that Hamas cannot again collect weapons through the tunnels. He said “No one is more committed than me to free the hostages. But no one can preach to me.”