By Ari Rabinovitch
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stood his ground, rejecting calls to withdraw troops from the southern Gazan border area as part of ceasefire negotiations. Netanyahu emphasized the importance of Israel maintaining control over the Philadelphi corridor, a key lifeline for Hamas.
The Philadelphi corridor, located on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt, has been a point of contention in ceasefire talks aimed at ending the violence in Gaza and securing the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Hamas has adamantly opposed Israeli presence in the corridor, while Netanyahu has emphasized the need for Israel to control it due to the tunnels used for smuggling weapons into Gaza.
Netanyahu's stance on the negotiations has caused frustration among allies, including the United States, and has led to a rift with his own defense minister. U.S. President Joe Biden criticized Netanyahu for not doing enough to secure a hostage deal, following the tragic deaths of six hostages.
In response to Biden's comments, Netanyahu emphasized the need for pressure to be applied to Hamas, rather than Israel, especially in the wake of the hostage deaths. He expressed skepticism towards making further concessions, stating that it is now Hamas' turn to make concessions for peace.
Overall, Netanyahu's refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor has become a major obstacle in ceasefire negotiations and has strained relations with international allies. The outcome of these talks could have significant implications for the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the broader Middle East region.
