Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls to compromise on keeping Israeli troops in the Philadelphi corridor, a critical border area between Gaza and Egypt, as part of a potential ceasefire deal, Reuters reports.
Netanyahu argues that controlling this area is essential to preventing Hamas from smuggling weapons into Gaza. This stance has become a major obstacle in negotiations for a ceasefire and securing the release of Israeli hostages, as Hamas opposes any Israeli presence in the corridor. Netanyahu’s stance has frustrated international allies, including US President Joe Biden, who has criticized Netanyahu for not doing enough to secure a hostage agreement.
His position has also led to tensions within his government, particularly with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who supports withdrawing troops from the corridor to advance the hostage negotiations. His position has also been criticized by opposition leader Yair Lapid, who accused Netanyahu of prioritizing political survival over practical solutions.
