Washington Post: Netanyahu's Insistence on Military Presence in Philadelphi Corridor Hinders Ceasefire Agreement

The Washington Post reported, citing officials involved in indirect negotiations as mediators between Hamas and Israel in the ceasefire and prisoner swap talks in the Gaza Strip, that Netanyahu's insistence on maintaining a military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor is the biggest obstacle to the potential agreement. The report stated that officials from nine different countries agreed that Netanyahu's request to keep troops in the Philadelphi Corridor is the main point of contention in the ceasefire talks and they believe that this insistence endangers the possibility of a ceasefire. Two senior officials highlighted that if Hamas and Israel reject the recent ceasefire proposal presented by the Biden administration, the US-led ceasefire negotiations could come to an end. Another senior US official suggested that Palestinian security forces trained by the Washington administration would be the most likely solution to ensure security at the Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Egypt. An Egyptian official mentioned that the Egyptian government would welcome an EU presence in the region following the EU's willingness to resume its observer role at the Rafah Border Crossing. Israeli activist Gershon Baskin claimed to have received approval to open a secret channel from the negotiation team established in May for the exchange of Israeli prisoners in Gaza. However, he stated that this negotiation channel was closed after two weeks, indicating that there is no progress in the ongoing negotiation process. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated that Baskin was never part of any current official or unofficial negotiations. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Office declined to comment on Netanyahu's stance regarding the Philadelphi Corridor. Netanyahu previously announced that Israel would not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, stating that the corridor is crucial for achieving the goals of the war in Gaza. He argued that Gaza poses a significant threat to Israel if they leave the corridor, allowing weapons, war materials, equipment for missile production, and tunneling machines to flow freely. Netanyahu claimed that Gaza's war capabilities are under Iran's supervision, financing, and direction. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry rejected all Israeli officials' claims regarding the Philadelphi Corridor.