Israel’s commitment to remaining in the Philadelphi corridor threatens a fragile ceasefire with Hamas, which requires a complete withdrawal. The corridor is crucial for preventing weapon smuggling, according to Israeli officials, but Hamas opposes any Israeli presence. The ceasefire agreement’s success hinges on future negotiations addressing hostages and military withdrawal, alongside the implications for U.S. and Egyptian relations.
Israel’s ongoing military presence in the Philadelphi corridor—a narrow stretch of land on Gaza’s border with Egypt—risks jeopardizing an already fragile ceasefire with Hamas. The ceasefire, agreed upon last month, mandated a withdrawal of Israeli forces starting Saturday, completed within eight days. However, Israeli officials assert that maintaining the corridor is necessary to prevent weapon smuggling, a point Hamas deems a significant violation of the agreement.
The Philadelphi corridor, a mere 100 meters wide at certain points and spanning 14 kilometers, encapsulates the Rafah crossing, which is Gaza’s sole route to Egypt. Following Israeli control of this area in May 2023, Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed Hamas was using underground tunnels for arms procurement, although Israeli reports indicate these tunnels have been inactive since Egyptian authorities destroyed them years ago.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz recently alleged the existence of unsealed tunnels along the corridor but provided no evidence. In contrast, Egypt refutes these claims, having previously dismantled hundreds of tunnels and established a military buffer to hinder smuggling activities.
The ceasefire structure consists of three phases. Currently, Hamas has released 25 Israeli hostages in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, with humanitarian aid flooding back into Gaza. Future negotiations are expected to focus on the complete release of hostages and a full Israeli military withdrawal, paving the way for a sustainable ceasefire.
The notion of a prolonged Israeli setup in Gaza is met with fierce opposition from Hamas, which perceives it as a potential military occupation. Although Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, the country still maintains control over various aspects, including airspace and borders, except for Rafah. Continued Israeli presence might also sour relations with Egypt, which could charge that it undermines a longstanding peace treaty.
The U.S. administration has not taken a definitive stance on corridor control. President Trump’s proposals hint at relocating Gaza’s 2 million residents to facilitate redevelopment efforts. Meanwhile, mediation efforts persist, with upcoming visits from the U.S. envoy aimed at advancing ceasefire discussions.
Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor raises tensions within the renewed ceasefire with Hamas. The corridor serves as a critical zone for both smugglers and military operations, and its control remains contested. The potential for resumed hostilities looms if both sides do not reach an agreeable solution in upcoming negotiations. Further complicating this situation is the impact on Egypt’s mediation role and broader regional dynamics regarding U.S. influence.
Original Source: apnews.com
