Israel will not withdraw forces from the Gaza-Egypt border, as a prerequisite for a second ceasefire phase. This refusal has drawn criticism from Hamas, which sees it as a breach of agreement. Negotiations are ongoing, but Israel may prefer to extend the first phase indefinitely while securing the release of more hostages without troop withdrawals.
Israel has announced it will not withdraw its troops from the Gaza-Egypt border, a requirement under the second phase of a proposed truce 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,” signifying a strong stance on border security amid ongoing ceasefire discussions.
This development occurs just days before the expiration of the first phase of a hostage-ceasefire agreement. Hamas expressed its discontent, labeling Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the Gaza-Egypt border a potential violation of the ceasefire and a move to sabotage the agreement. Talks for extending the ceasefire, which were supposed to commence weeks ago, have yet to materialize meaningfully.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized a team to negotiate in Cairo amidst these tensions, but details on whether they will pursue the second phase or simply extend the first remain vague. The delegation will not include high-level officials, diminishing expectations for significant outcomes in the discussions.
Amidst the complexity of the situation, political figures like Benny Gantz criticized Netanyahu for prioritizing political incentives over the urgent need to return hostages efficiently. Meanwhile, Hamas has indicated that it expected the process of Israel’s withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor to begin soon as stipulated in their earlier agreements.
The second phase of the ceasefire proposes a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, contingent upon Hamas releasing all living hostages. Following the transfer of the last deceased hostages under the initial phase, Hamas reiterated its readiness to continue negotiations. In this context, tensions between the two sides appear set to escalate if an agreement cannot be reached soon.
In summary, Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the Gaza-Egypt border complicates ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. As talks proceed in Cairo, significant political challenges remain, highlighting the difficulties in reaching a lasting resolution. The situation remains tense as both parties navigate the complexities of hostages and regional security requirements.
Original Source: www.erienewsnow.com
