Israel will not withdraw from the Gaza-Egypt border, despite ongoing ceasefire talks with Hamas. This decision comes after hostage exchanges and as a negotiation team heads to Cairo to discuss extending the ceasefire. Hamas claims Israel’s stance violates the agreement, while Israeli officials emphasize security concerns. Talks on the second phase of the ceasefire, which includes a full withdrawal of forces, have not yet gained traction.
Israel has confirmed that it will not withdraw its military presence from the Gaza-Egypt border, despite requirements outlined in the second phase of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. An Israeli source stated, “We will not exit the Philadelphi Corridor. We will not allow Hamas murderers to roam again with trucks and rifles on our borders, and we will not let them strengthen themselves again through smuggling.” This stance emerges as a delegation from Israel arrives in Cairo to engage in negotiations surrounding the ceasefire, particularly as the first phase is due to expire soon.
The announcement follows the completion of the first phase of the ceasefire, during which Hamas released hostages, coinciding with Israel’s condemnation of their continued military presence in the corridor. Hamas officials criticized Israel’s refusal to withdraw as a violation of the ceasefire agreement, asserting that it jeopardizes the ongoing negotiations. The timeline for the negotiations remains unclear, leaving concerns about the future of peace talks.
Despite the urgency of discussions concerning the next phase, the leader of Israel’s negotiation team will not attend the talks in Cairo. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly prefers to extend the current ceasefire phase without a full withdrawal, aiming primarily for the continued release of hostages. Politician Benny Gantz critiqued this approach as excessively political, advocating for a more comprehensive resolution.
Hamas has articulated that the withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor was scheduled to start at the end of the current ceasefire period. The Israeli government emphasizes that maintaining control of the border is crucial for national security. The proposed second phase of the ceasefire would entail Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza, in exchange for all hostages held by Hamas as negotiations move forward, with concerns about compliance from both parties looming.
In summary, Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the Gaza-Egypt border complicates ceasefire negotiations with Hamas as the current truce period approaches its end. Both parties are under pressure to reach an agreement that addresses the release of hostages and the military presence in the region. The situation remains tense, characterized by divergent objectives and political motivations from Israeli leadership in comparison to the expectations set forth by Hamas.
Original Source: www.erienewsnow.com
