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Rabat – The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected recent reports suggesting that Israel is considering the deployment of an international monitoring mission along the Philadelphi Corridor. This strip of land, which separates Gaza from Egypt, has been a central issue in ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
In a statement broadcast by Israeli Army Radio, Netanyahu’s office denied reports of Israel agreeing to the monitoring of the corridor by UN forces. “The report suggesting that the idea of deploying an international force along the Philadelphi Corridor is being considered is incorrect,” the statement said. It emphasized Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining Israeli control over the route.
The denial follows a report by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, which claimed that Israeli negotiators were planning to propose a new plan in Cairo. This proposal, according to the report, would involve a United Nations monitoring mission along the corridor.
Hamas official Osama Badran responded by criticizing Netanyahu’s stance, arguing that the insistence on Israeli troop presence at the corridor undermines efforts to reach a final ceasefire agreement.
Badran reiterated Hamas’s position, stating: “We will accept nothing less than the withdrawal of occupation forces, including from the Philadelphi Corridor.” This demand aligns with the original ceasefire proposal supported by US President Joe Biden in May and later endorsed by the US Security Council.
Read also: Hamas Accuses US of Bowing to Israeli Pressure in Stalling Ceasefire Deal
Israeli negotiators are currently engaged in talks in Cairo, with the aim of finalizing a ceasefire deal. According to Secretary of State Antony Blinke, the US and Israel have agreed on a “bridging proposal.” But Hamas has rejected this proposal, citing violations of earlier agreements. The Palestinian group did not participate in the latest round of negotiations in Doha.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Egypt and Qatar are expected to relay a new Israeli proposal regarding the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah border crossing to Hamas.
This proposal was presented in Cairo by Israeli intelligence agencies, Mossad and Shin Bet, on Thursday. According to an Israeli source cited by Haaretz, the recent meetings in Cairo have shown “relative progress” and have narrowed the differences between Egypt and Israel on the corridor issue. The source indicated that the next step involves awaiting Hamas’s response.
But the Palestinian group continues to insist on the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, criticizing the US for succumbing to Israeli pressure by deviating from already agreed on terms.
