Israeli PM rejects claims of troop pullout from key Gaza-Egypt border area

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office denied claims on Wednesday that Israel had agreed to withdraw its troops from the Philadelphi Corridor, the border area between Egypt and Gaza. This response came after a report from Israeli state-owned Kan TV suggested that Israel had consented to a troop withdrawal as part of a US-backed ceasefire proposal with Hamas. The proposal, also aimed at securing the release of hostages, was announced by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said Israel had accepted the plan.

Netanyahu firmly rejected these reports, calling them inaccurate, and stressed that Israel would not give up control of the Philadelphi Corridor. His office's statement reiterated that Israel’s security goals, as outlined by the Security Cabinet, include ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a security threat. To achieve this, Israel insists on securing its southern border, which includes maintaining a military presence in the corridor.

Hamas and Egypt, which is playing a key role in mediating negotiations, are reportedly opposed to Israeli control over the border area. However, Netanyahu’s office dismissed claims that Israel had agreed to step back from the corridor, asserting that the nation’s security remains a top priority.

Additionally, Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden spoke over the phone on Wednesday to discuss the progress of the ceasefire and hostage negotiations, although details of their conversation were not disclosed by the White House.

While some Israeli military officials have suggested that Israel could secure its interests without direct control over the Philadelphi Corridor, anonymous sources quoted by Israeli media accused Netanyahu of hindering a potential agreement by insisting on maintaining Israeli authority over the area.