Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor threatens the Gaza ceasefire. An Israeli official indicated that forces would remain to prevent arms smuggling, contradicting ceasefire terms. Hamas sees any Israeli presence in the corridor as a breach, complicating negotiations for the second stage of the ceasefire, which involves hostage releases.
Israel’s reluctance to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor, a slim strip of desert bordering Egypt, poses a risk to the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. An Israeli official indicated that forces would remain in this area to counteract arms smuggling, contradicting the ceasefire terms that stipulated a withdrawal.
Under the stipulated ceasefire agreement, Israel was expected to commence a pullback on a specified date and conclude it within a week. Any Israeli attempt to maintain a presence in the corridor is viewed by Hamas as a flagrant breach of the ceasefire. The issue adds complexity to ongoing negotiations for the difficult second phase of the agreement, which involves hostage releases and the establishment of a comprehensive truce.
The Philadelphi corridor is a narrow 100-meter-wide area extending 14 kilometers along Gaza’s border with Egypt. This corridor includes the Rafah crossing, which was previously Gaza’s sole external point not under Israeli control. Israeli officials assert that Hamas utilizes tunnels for arms imports, but reports suggest the tunnels have been largely inactive, with localized weapon production being the norm.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz recently claimed that he observed open tunnels between Gaza and Egypt, a statement not backed by evidence, while Egypt has refuted the claims regarding tunnel activity, stating extensive measures have been taken to prevent smuggling.
The ceasefire agreement witnessed Hamas releasing some hostages in exchange for thousands of imprisoned Palestinians. However, negotiations for subsequent stages of the ceasefire have been limited. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has emphasized the goals of rescuing all hostages and dismantling Hamas, a task made challenging by the group’s continuing control over Gaza.
An Israeli decision to maintain a presence in the corridor would likely exacerbate tensions with Egypt, a key mediator in the conflict. Egypt has raised concerns that Israel’s military occupation could jeopardize the longstanding peace treaty between the two nations, impacting American diplomatic influence in the region. The United States has refrained from taking a definitive stance regarding the corridor’s control.
The ongoing discord regarding Israel’s position in the Philadelphi corridor raises significant concerns for the Gaza ceasefire. With both sides poised for potential conflict, the ceasefire’s integrity depends on Israel’s compliance with withdrawal agreements. Furthermore, escalating tensions with Egypt and potential breaches in international diplomatic relations underscore the situation’s complexity and fragility, while the finalization of negotiations remains critical to ensure lasting peace in the region.
Original Source: apnews.com
