In recent discussions in Qatar, Israeli negotiators have indicated their support for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Philadelphia Corridor in the second phase of a potential hostage deal.
This position contrasts with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emphasis on maintaining an indefinite military presence there.
According to a diplomatic source speaking to the Times of Israel, just hours before Netanyahu’s press conference on Monday, Mossad Chief David Barnea urgently travelled to Doha to inform Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani of Israel’s stance on the Philadelphia Corridor, a critical border area between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
An insider familiar with the negotiations told Haaretz that the final American proposal suggests a reduced Israeli military presence in the corridor for the initial six-week phase, followed by a full withdrawal in the second phase, as outlined by the United States at the end of May.
Netanyahu has argued that allowing Israeli forces to withdraw from the 14-kilometer border stretch could lead to renewed weapon smuggling into Gaza, including materials for weapon manufacturing and tunnel digging, potentially facilitating the smuggling of hostages back into the strip.
Despite these concerns, Netanyahu affirmed that Israel would maintain control over the Philadelphia Corridor in the near future, citing its crucial role in preventing Hamas from rearming and launching another significant attack on Israel, similar to the devastating October 7th assault that escalated the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
