The Philadelphi corridor, a 14-kilometer strip of land along Gaza's border with Egypt, is currently under the control of the Israeli military. This area has been a focal point in ceasefire and hostage negotiations with Hamas, with Israel insisting on maintaining control to prevent arms smuggling through tunnels beneath it.
Recent discussions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have highlighted the disagreement over the corridor's control. Netanyahu argues that Israeli troops must remain in the corridor to ensure security and prevent Hamas from resuming illicit activities. On the other hand, Gallant has expressed concerns that Hamas will not agree to these terms, potentially hindering progress in negotiations and the release of hostages.
Efforts to broker a deal involving the Philadelphi corridor have involved the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. US President Joe Biden has urged Netanyahu to show flexibility in resolving the issue. Despite internal disagreements, Netanyahu presented maps outlining the military's presence in the corridor during the initial phase of the deal, which was approved by the Israeli security cabinet.
However, Gallant criticized the prioritization of controlling the corridor over reaching a comprehensive agreement, labeling it as a 'moral disgrace.' He cautioned that this approach could impede the achievement of set goals and called for a reconsideration of the strategy moving forward.
