The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday denied a Reuters report that Israel was discussing the possibility of withdrawing from the Philadelphi corridor. The office described the report as “fake news,” according to Alhurra’s correspondent in Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu insists on staying on the Philadelphi axis, the office said in a statement. This is what he instructed the negotiating team to do, made clear to US representatives this week, and informed the cabinet last night.
Earlier on Friday, two Egyptian sources and a third informed source told Reuters that Israeli and Egyptian negotiators were holding talks on an electronic monitoring system on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. This might allow Israeli forces to withdraw from the area if a ceasefire is agreed upon.
The issue of Israeli forces remaining on the border is a major obstacle to a ceasefire agreement because Hamas and Egypt, which is mediating the talks, oppose Israel’s presence there.
Israel fears that Hamas’s military wing might smuggle weapons and supplies from Egypt into Gaza through tunnels if its forces withdraw from the border area it calls the Philadelphi Corridor. This would allow Hamas to rearm and threaten Israel once more.
Therefore, if the negotiating parties agree on the details, the monitoring system might pave the way for a ceasefire. However, many other obstacles remain.
Discussions regarding a border monitoring system have been reported before, but Reuters is reporting for the first time that Israel is participating in the discussions as part of the current round of talks aimed at withdrawing forces from the border area.
The informed source, who asked not to be identified, said the discussions are “primarily regarding sensors that will be placed on the Egyptian side of the Philadelphi Corridor.”
“The idea is clearly to monitor the tunnels, to discover any other ways they might try to smuggle weapons or people into Gaza. This will obviously be an important element in the hostage deal,” he added.
Asked if this was significant to the ceasefire agreement because it meant that Israeli soldiers would not need to be in the Philadelphi Corridor, the source said, “Correct.”
The two Egyptian security sources, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Israeli negotiators talked regarding a high-tech surveillance system.
They added that Egypt does not oppose this, if the United States supports it and bears its cost. However, they said that Egypt will not agree to anything that would change the arrangements on its borders with Israel stipulated in the peace treaty between them.
On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would only agree to an agreement that ensured continued Israeli control over the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, but he did not clarify whether that meant troops there.
Talks are underway in Qatar and Egypt on a US-backed deal that would allow a halt to the fighting in Gaza, now in its tenth month, and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The Israeli military campaign on the Gaza Strip began last October following an attack by Hamas militants on sites and areas in southern Israel that resulted in the killing of 1,200 people and the capture of more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli statistics.
Since then, Israeli forces have killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
Israeli officials said during the war that Hamas used tunnels extending under the border into Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula to smuggle weapons into Gaza. However, Egypt says it destroyed the tunnel networks leading into the Strip years ago and established a buffer zone and fortifications on the border to prevent any smuggling attempts.
The Israeli invasion of the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah in early May led to the closure of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza and a sharp decline in the amount of international aid entering the Strip.
Egypt says it wants to resume aid deliveries to Gaza but a Palestinian presence must return to the crossing for it to operate once more.
Israel Denies Report of Withdrawal from Philadelphi Corridor
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refuted a report by Reuters stating that Israel is in discussions to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor. According to Alhurra’s correspondent in Tel Aviv, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office labeled the report as “fake news.”
Netanyahu’s Stance and the Negotiating Team’s Instructions
The statement from Netanyahu’s office emphasized that the Prime Minister remains firm in his decision to maintain Israeli presence along the Philadelphi axis. This stance, it was clarified, has been conveyed to the US representatives this week and informed to the Israeli cabinet on Thursday night. These instructions have been given to the Israeli negotiating team.
Electronic Monitoring System: A Potential Ceasefire Catalyst?
While Israel denies any withdrawal plans, sources have informed Reuters that discussions between Israel and Egypt are ongoing regarding a potential electronic monitoring system on the border between Gaza and Egypt. This system, if implemented, might potentially allow the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area pending a ceasefire agreement.
Obstacles to a Ceasefire
The issue of maintaining Israeli troops on the Gaza-Egypt border has been a major sticking point in the ceasefire negotiations. Both Hamas and Egypt, mediating the talks, oppose Israel’s continued presence in the region. Israel, however, expresses concerns regarding Hamas’s potential to smuggle weapons and supplies from Egypt into Gaza through tunnels, allowing the group to rearm and potentially threaten Israel once more.
The Potential of the Monitoring System
The monitoring system under discussion might be a breakthrough in the ceasefire negotiations if the parties agree on the details. This system might potentially allow for the removal of Israeli forces from the Philadelphi Corridor, which is a key demand by Hamas and Egypt. However, it’s important to note that many other obstacles to a ceasefire remain.
Details of the Monitoring System
Discussions regarding a border monitoring system have been reported previously. However, Reuters is reporting for the first time that Israel is involved in these discussions within the current round of talks aimed at withdrawing forces from the border area.
Sources involved in these discussions have revealed the system’s focus: “primarily regarding sensors that will be placed on the Egyptian side of the Philadelphi Corridor.” The aim is to monitor the tunnels and prevent the smuggling of weapons or people into Gaza.
Sources have emphasized that this system would be a significant contribution to the ceasefire agreement, as it would negate the need for Israeli soldiers to be stationed in the Philadelphi Corridor.
Egypt’s Position on the Monitoring System
Egyptian security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, have confirmed that Israeli negotiators have proposed a high-tech surveillance system. However, they have clarified that Egypt’s support for the system is contingent upon the US backing the initiative and bearing its cost. Egypt has also stressed that it will not agree to any arrangement that alters the terms of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
Netanyahu’s Condition for a Ceasefire Agreement
On Thursday, Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that he would only agree to a ceasefire agreement that guarantees continued Israeli control over the Gaza-Egypt border. Although he did not explicitly mention the presence of troops, his statement highlights the importance of maintaining Israeli security along the border.
Background of the Conflict
The ongoing conflict in Gaza entered its tenth month. Talks mediated by the US are ongoing in Qatar and Egypt to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas. The current conflict began in October 2023 following Hamas militants launched attacks on southern Israel. This resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the capture of over 250 hostages.
Since the onset of the conflict, Israeli forces have reportedly killed over 38,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
Importance of the Philadelphi Corridor
The Philadelphi Corridor, spanning from Rafah to the Mediterranean, is a strategically significant zone. It’s considered a vital area for both security and humanitarian reasons. Prior to the current conflict, the Philadelphi corridor facilitated the movement of goods and people between Gaza and Egypt. However, the conflict has significantly disrupted this flow, impacting the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The Israeli authorities have stated that Hamas used tunnels extending under the border into Egypt to smuggle weapons into Gaza. Nevertheless, Egypt has claimed that it destroyed the tunnel networks leading into Gaza several years ago and established a buffer zone along the border to prevent smuggling.
Impact on the Rafah Crossing
The Israeli invasion of Rafah in early May led to the closure of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza. This resulted in a substantial decrease in the amount of international aid entering Gaza. Egypt has expressed its desire to resume aid deliveries but has emphasized the need for a Palestinian presence at the crossing for its reopening.
Key Takeaways
The Israeli position on the Philadelphi Corridor remains a pivotal point in the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire. While Israel denies withdrawing from the area, the discussions surrounding a potential monitoring system raise hope for a negotiated solution. However, the conflict’s complexity necessitates patience and perseverance from all parties involved to reach a sustainable and just solution that addresses the concerns of all sides.
