JERUSALEM. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Wednesday that Israel must maintain indefinite control over Gaza’s border with Egypt, a position that has complicated ongoing cease-fire negotiations aimed at ending the nearly 11-month-long war. Netanyahu’s stance centers on the strategic Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land along Gaza’s southern border that Israeli troops seized in May.
“The Philadelphi corridor must remain under firm control,” Netanyahu declared, speaking to foreign journalists. “Gaza must be demilitarized, and this can only happen if we prevent Hamas from rearming by smuggling weapons into Gaza.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s remarks came as the U.S. is reportedly working on a new cease-fire proposal, which includes efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. However, the question of Israel’s control over the Philadelphi corridor remains a critical stumbling block. Hamas has demanded that Israel fully withdraw from Gaza as part of any truce deal, while Egypt, a key mediator in the negotiations, insists on a clear timeline for Israeli forces to exit the corridor. The United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords, also voiced concerns over Netanyahu’s stance.
Netanyahu defended his position by emphasizing the threat of Hamas rearmament through cross-border smuggling. He claimed that Israeli forces had uncovered “dozens of tunnels” under the border, which could be used to transport weapons into Gaza. “Until an alternative force is presented that can reliably prevent smuggling, Israel will remain,” he asserted. “I don’t see that happening right now.”
This stance has drawn sharp criticism from the families of hostages still held by Hamas, who accuse Netanyahu of obstructing a potential deal to bring their loved ones home. Protests have erupted across Israel, with hundreds of thousands of demonstrators calling for a resolution. Many of the hostages’ families fear that time is running out after Hamas recently killed six hostages during an Israeli military operation to rescue them.
Despite the mounting pressure, Netanyahu remained resolute. “I can understand the torment of families,” he said, “but the responsibility of leaders is to exercise judgment, not just share the emotion.”
When pressed for a timeline to end the war, Netanyahu declined to provide specifics, stating, “We will continue as long as it takes to achieve victory.”
In an attempt to connect the cease-fire talks with Israel’s military campaign, Netanyahu incorrectly claimed that the Israeli invasion of Rafah in May led to Hamas’ first release of hostages, which had actually occurred months earlier in November under a cease-fire agreement.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Thursday that an Israeli drone strike in the West Bank killed five men and injured another in Tubas. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating that it targeted “armed terrorists that posed a threat to the soldiers.” This operation is part of the deadliest Israeli military action in the West Bank since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
As cease-fire negotiations continue, the situation remains tense, with both sides locked in a complex political and military struggle that has drawn in regional and global powers.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
