Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that Israel will indefinitely control the crossing between Egypt and Gaza, indicating a long-term military presence as negotiations continue for a hostage and ceasefire deal that hinges on a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The Israel Defense Forces took control of the Gazan side of the Rafah border crossing to Egypt in May. They have since expanded their control to include the entire border between Gaza and Egypt, known as the Philadelphi corridor.
“The prime minister insists that Israel will remain in the Philadelphi axis,” Netanyahu’s office stated on Friday. “This is how he instructed the negotiating teams, made clear to representatives of the United States, and informed the cabinet about it last night.”
With Israel controlling Gaza’s other crossings, the country now manages the entirety of the Palestinian territory’s borders.
Netanyahu’s comments came as negotiators in Cairo worked to secure an agreement for the release of approximately 120 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Hamas has demanded any deal include a phased Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and a pause in fighting.
In a separate speech to new military officers on Thursday, Netanyahu said, “We will not allow the smuggling of weapons to Hamas from Egypt, first and foremost through Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor and the Rafah crossing.” He added that any deal for hostage release would allow Israel to resume fighting Hamas after any temporary pause.
Netanyahu also hinted at a long-term Israeli presence in central Gaza, where military infrastructure effectively divides the enclave into two zones. The corridor runs from the Israeli border to the sea, requiring Palestinian civilians and aid convoys to pass through numerous checkpoints to move between northern and southern Gaza.
