Israel has confirmed it will not withdraw forces from the Gaza-Egypt border ahead of a potential second phase of the ceasefire with Hamas. The announcement follows the recent handover of the final hostages from the first phase of the agreement. Discussions regarding extending the ceasefire into a second phase remain unclear, with Israel seeking to maintain its military presence while securing further hostage releases.
In light of the upcoming deadline for the ceasefire with Hamas, Israel has stated it will not withdraw its forces from the Gaza-Egypt border. An Israeli source confirmed this position, emphasizing that Israel will maintain control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a key area of security. The source asserted that Israel cannot afford to allow Hamas militants to arm themselves or conduct smuggling operations along the border.
This declaration coincides with the imminent expiration of the first phase of the Israel-Hamas hostage-ceasefire agreement. The final hostages from the initial phase were handed over by Hamas shortly before the announcement. Despite this progress, there is ambiguity regarding whether discussions for a second phase of the ceasefire have commenced, as negotiations have been delayed for over three weeks.
The Israeli military has occupied the corridor since May, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasizing the significance of controlling this border area for national security purposes. The second phase of the ceasefire agreement would necessitate Israel’s withdrawal of forces from Gaza, including its position along the Egyptian border, in exchange for the release of all living hostages held by Hamas.
Following the delivery of the last four deceased hostages, Hamas reiterated its eagerness to engage in discussions for the next phase of the negotiations. The group cautioned that any attempts by the Netanyahu administration to retreat from the agreed terms may exacerbate the situation for the prisoners and their families.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Netanyahu plans to hold discussions focused on security matters and will decide whether to send a delegation to negotiate the terms of the second phase of the ceasefire. According to inside sources, Netanyahu favors extending the current ceasefire and securing the release of additional hostages while avoiding any withdrawal from Gaza, hoping to prolong the first phase as much as possible.
In summary, Israel has declared its refusal to withdraw from the Gaza-Egypt border, highlighting the importance of controlling this area in preventing Hamas from rearming. As the ceasefire negotiations evolve, the outcome remains uncertain, with Israel seeking to extend the current agreement without conceding its military presence. Hamas remains committed to discussions, warning that any backtracking on agreements by Israel would worsen the humanitarian situation for the affected families.
Original Source: keyt.com
