Israel will not withdraw from the Gaza-Egypt border, despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. The announcement follows the completion of the first phase of a truce, as tensions escalate following violent incidents. Negotiations will continue in Cairo, but the focus remains unclear, as Netanyahu seeks to extend the current ceasefire without military withdrawal.
Israel has declared it will not withdraw its military presence from the Gaza-Egypt border as part of the proposed second phase of the ceasefire with Hamas. An Israeli source stated, “We will not exit the Philadelphi Corridor,” emphasizing that Israel will not permit Hamas to rearm or smuggle weapons across their borders. This announcement was made shortly before the initial phase of the hostage-ceasefire agreement set to expire and following Hamas’s final hostage release under that phase.
Hamas has warned that Israel’s failure to comply with the withdrawal stipulations constitutes a breach of the ceasefire agreement and suggests that Israel is creating pretexts to derail negotiations. Talks for extending the ongoing ceasefire were expected to commence over three weeks ago but have yet to materialize, adding to regional tensions amid recent violent incidents.
A recent car-ramming attack in central Israel resulted in multiple injuries, elevating concerns regarding escalating violence in the region. Investigations are underway, identifying a 53-year-old Palestinian man as the perpetrator, who was subsequently killed by Israeli police. Concurrently, Israel has intensified military operations in the West Bank, leading to significant casualties and large-scale displacements.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has dispatched a negotiation team to Cairo to resume discussions about the ceasefire. However, it remains uncertain whether these discussions will center on the planned withdrawal of Israeli forces or merely extend the current ceasefire. Notably, the head of the negotiation team will not attend the Cairo meetings.
The first phase of the ceasefire, allowing for the release of hostages and prisoners, is set to expire soon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to favor extending this phase rather than withdrawing from Gaza, seeking to negotiate further hostage releases without military pullout. Criticism from political figures suggests that Netanyahu’s actions may be driven by political considerations rather than national interest.
Hamas has reaffirmed their commitment to the negotiations but insists that the withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor should commence as planned. Following the return of deceased hostages, Hamas warned that any attempts from Netanyahu’s government to obstruct the agreement could exacerbate the situation for the involved families, reiterating their dedication to the hostage release negotiations.
In summary, Israel has firmly announced its decision not to withdraw from the Gaza-Egypt border while engaged in negotiations for a ceasefire with Hamas. The situation remains tense, with potential violations of the ceasefire agreement being discussed. The outcome of these negotiations is crucial, as the regional stability and the humanitarian situation hang in the balance, particularly regarding the fate of hostages and prisoners involved.
Original Source: krdo.com
