The Israeli newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth” reported on Sunday, citing political sources, that Israel will change its strategy and demand that the United States exert greater pressure on Egypt, which refuses any Israeli presence on the Philadelphia Corridor.
The Philadelphia Corridor, located on the border between Egypt and Gaza, is a stumbling block in any proposed agreement to cease fighting in the war-torn sector.
The newspaper mentioned that officials in Israel have decided “to change their approach and increase pressure on the United States regarding Egypt.” An Israeli official told “Yedioth Ahronoth,” “It is time to acknowledge Egypt’s responsibility.” Israel has controlled the corridor for months coinciding with its attack on Rafah in southern Gaza, while Egypt rejects any Israeli presence in the area.
It is expected that a delegation from the Jewish lobby supporting Tel Aviv in the U.S. House of Representatives will arrive in Israel next week.
The Israeli source clarified that Israeli officials will convey an important message to the American lawmakers, stating that “the U.S. administration must do this and demand increased pressure not only on Hamas but also on Egypt to reach an agreement.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Hamas obtains weapons from Egypt through the Philadelphia Corridor. He continued, “We have ensured that not even a pin enters Gaza from our side, but they have armed themselves via the Philadelphia Corridor and Egypt.”
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry expressed in a statement on Tuesday its complete rejection of Netanyahu’s statements, adding that the Israeli Prime Minister “is trying to drag Egypt’s name to divert the attention of the Israeli public, obstruct the achievement of a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal, and complicate the mediation efforts being undertaken by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.”
