A heated argument broke out between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Yoav Galant, Israeli officials said, over a dispute over the Israeli military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
A report prepared by Naseeba Musa explained that the Philadelphi Corridor extends along the Egyptian border with the Gaza Strip, with a length of about 14 kilometers and a width of a few hundred meters, and the Rafah land crossing is located on it, which is the main outlet of the Strip to the outside world.
The Netzarim axis separates Gaza City from the central governorate, and extends to the coast in the west, with a length of about 7 kilometers, and was named after the former Netzarim settlement that was established there.
During the cabinet meeting, Galant presented a document he described as a “strategic junction,” in which he downplayed the need for the army to remain in the Philadelphi corridor, and warned that Israel must choose between moving toward a deal to release Israeli prisoners in Gaza, or risking sliding into a full-scale war and wasting the last chance to free those who remain alive.
Galant pointed out that the major military operations have ended, and there is no security or strategic need for the army to remain in the axis, at least during the first stage of the deal.
Obstruction of negotiations
Netanyahu did not just ignore his defense minister’s position, but he also suddenly displayed maps specifying the locations of the Israeli army’s presence in the Philadelphi corridor, to impose his position on the discussions of the possible deal to stop the war, which sparked a heated debate between the two men.
Netanyahu said: “Since October 7, the return of the Philadelphi corridor to Israel’s hands has become possible. This reality did not exist before, and it will not return again. This time, Israel is determined to keep this border in its hands.”
Maariv newspaper quoted security sources as saying that Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Mossad chief David Barnea expressed their reservations about the army remaining in the Philadelphi corridor, and said that voting on this decision is not necessary at the present time, and will hinder the negotiations at this stage, and will not add anything regarding the kidnapped and Palestinian prisoners who will be released.
The course of negotiations between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) shows that Netanyahu suddenly raised the issue of the Israeli army remaining in the Philadelphi and Netzarim axes, after US President Joe Biden presented his proposal for a swap deal in late May, which Hamas welcomed. Hours later, Netanyahu announced amendments that he described as “red lines” that are irreversible, and that guarantee Israeli control over the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
Israeli officials believe that Netanyahu has politicized the Philadelphi Corridor file and imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinians between the south and north of the Strip, which will complicate the chances of reaching an agreement.
While the Israeli security and military establishment believes that remaining in the axis is neither a security nor a military necessity, nor is it needed during the first phase of the deal in order to begin releasing the detainees.
