Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set a clear condition for any permanent ceasefire, emphasizing that Israel will not withdraw from Gaza’s southern border until the area is free from being used by Hamas for smuggling weapons. This stance has become a central issue in negotiations with the U.S. and other international entities seeking to end the 11-month-long conflict.
In a decisive move that could shape the future of Israel-Gaza relations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday declared that Israel would not leave the Gaza border corridor until it is fully secured from being used by the Islamist group Hamas for smuggling weapons. His firm stance raises significant challenges for ongoing ceasefire negotiations, as international pressure mounts to halt the 11-month-long conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that any permanent ceasefire in Gaza will only be considered if Israel remains in control of the Gaza-Egypt border corridor. Speaking at a news conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu emphasized that the area must be entirely free from Hamas’ influence, particularly in relation to the movement of weapons and supplies.
“Until that happens, we’re there,” Netanyahu stated, referring to Israel’s presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a critical zone along the southern edge of Gaza, bordering Egypt. The Prime Minister expressed concerns about the possibility of Hamas rearming and staging future attacks similar to the deadly assault on Israel on October 7.
Netanyahu stressed the need for a reliable entity to ensure that the Gaza border does not become a route for smuggling. “Somebody has to be there,” he said. “Bring me anyone who will actually show—not on paper, not in words—but day after day, week after week, month after month, that they can actually prevent a recurrence of what happened there before.”
This condition has proven to be a major obstacle in reaching a ceasefire agreement. While the U.S. is working on a new proposal that aims to end the 11-month war and secure the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, Netanyahu rejected any immediate withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor.
The corridor has long been a contentious issue in ceasefire negotiations, as it serves as a critical passage for smuggling arms and other materials. Netanyahu’s firm stance underscores Israel’s insistence on a robust and verifiable mechanism to prevent Hamas from using the border for future attacks.
