Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed strong determination to respond forcefully to the deaths of six hostages whose bodies were discovered in Gaza over the weekend. An Israeli official revealed that Netanyahu plans to take action against Hamas in a manner that Israel has not previously undertaken.
The Israeli cabinet recently made a decision to require the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to maintain control over the Philadelphi corridor, a 14-kilometer strip along the Gaza-Egypt border, as part of a potential hostage and ceasefire agreement. Currently, the IDF holds authority over the Philadelphi corridor.
There has been significant disagreement between Israel and Hamas regarding the presence of Israeli troops in the border zone. Hamas has insisted that Israeli forces must withdraw from the area, while the Israeli official emphasized the strategic importance of the Philadelphi corridor in preventing arms smuggling into Gaza.
The official warned that allowing Israeli troops to leave the Philadelphi Axis for a short period could result in a long-term security threat, suggesting that the world community recognizes the corridor's significance. Refusal to maintain control over the strip could potentially lead to adverse consequences, including the inability to secure the release of hostages.
