On September 4, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel will only agree to a durable ceasefire in Gaza provided the border area between southern Gaza and Egypt is never exploited as a lifeline by the Islamist movement Hamas.
"Until that happens, we're there," he said during a news conference in Jerusalem.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has drawn international attention and criticism, with many calling for an immediate ceasefire. However, Netanyahu's stance highlights the complex security concerns that Israel faces in the region. The Israeli government's primary focus remains on preventing Hamas from rearming and rebuilding its military capabilities, which they believe could pose a significant threat to Israeli civilians in the future.
Mr Netanyahu reiterated his categorical rejection of a pullback from the so-called Philadelphi corridor in the first phase of a deal that is supposed to last 42 days, claiming that international pressure would make it virtually hard to return.
The Philadelphi corridor, which runs along the southern edge of the Gaza Strip and borders Egypt, has been one of the most significant impediments to a settlement to end the hostilities in Gaza and return Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian inmates.
The strategic importance of the Philadelphi corridor cannot be overstated. It serves as a crucial buffer zone between Gaza and Egypt, and Israel believes that maintaining control over this area is essential for its national security. The corridor has been a contentious issue in past negotiations, with Israel arguing that relinquishing control could lead to an influx of weapons and militants into Gaza, potentially destabilizing the region further.
Mr Netanyahu has insisted on maintaining control of the corridor, where Israeli troops have discovered hundreds of tunnels that officials claim were used to supply Hamas with weapons and ammunition.
Those Israelis have chastised the prime minister for being silent on the matter, including those in his own security establishment, who believe Israeli military can undertake targeted interventions to halt smuggling.
The discovery of these tunnels has further complicated the situation, as it has reinforced Israel's concerns about Hamas's ability to smuggle weapons and other resources into Gaza. The Israeli military has invested significant resources in detecting and destroying these underground passages, viewing them as a major security threat. However, critics argue that the focus on the tunnels may be disproportionate and that other diplomatic solutions should be explored to address the root causes of the conflict.
The families of several hostages, including some of the six whose deaths were discovered in a tunnel in southern Gaza on Sunday, have accused him of sacrificing their loved ones by insisting on retaining forces in the passage.
However, he stated that maintaining pressure on Hamas was the best approach to return the 101 captives currently held in Gaza.
The plight of the hostages has become a central issue in Israeli public discourse, with families and supporters organizing protests and campaigns to pressure the government for their release. The recent discovery of the deaths of six hostages has only intensified these calls, placing additional pressure on Netanyahu's government to find a resolution. The Prime Minister faces the difficult task of balancing national security concerns with the urgent need to secure the safe return of the remaining captives.
"You need to squeeze them and put pressure on them to free the remaining hostages. So, if you want to rescue the captives, you must control the Philadelphia corridor," he stated.
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