Netanyahu Dismisses Claim That Israel May Vacate the Philadelphi Corridor

Latest Developments

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed reports on July 12 that Israeli troops may withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, which separates Gaza from neighboring Egypt. On July 9, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant allegedly told White House Middle East Advisor Brett McGurk that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) could potentially withdraw troops from the Philadelphi Corridor as part of a ceasefire and hostage deal. Citing three unnamed sources, Reuters reported on July 12 that Israeli and Egyptian negotiators were considering installing an electronic surveillance system along the border, which would allow the IDF to eventually withdraw from the area. However, Netanyahu dismissed the reports as “complete fake news,” noting that he “ordered the negotiating team, clarified this week to US representatives and updated the cabinet yesterday” that Israel must retain control of the Philadelphi Corridor.

Israel took operational control of the Philadelphi Corridor on May 29. IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari explained during a press briefing that evening that the corridor was a “lifeline” for Hamas. Hagari said that the terrorist group “regularly smuggled weapons into the Gaza Strip” ‏via the Philadelphi Corridor and that the IDF “located dozens of launchers along the corridor, loaded and ready to fire rockets, and launch pits from which Hamas fired rockets and mortars into Israeli territory.” Hagari also emphasized that “Hamas exploited the Philadelphi Corridor, using it to build this infrastructure just dozens of meters from the border with Egypt so that we would not strike them.”  

Expert Analysis

“Taking over the Philadelphia corridor was one of the most strategically sound decisions Israel has made so far in this war. Hamas benefited from it with the complicity of Egypt, the international community, and NGOs. Strict monitoring of that corridor is extremely important. Vacating it any time soon would be a huge mistake.” — Haisam Hassanein, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Ceding control of the Philadelphi Corridor in the near term should be a nonstarter for Israel. The narrow strip of land is crucial to countering Hamas’s efforts to rearm by smuggling weapons into Egypt via Gaza. October 7 should have taught Israel painful lessons about relying on technology and international promises to prevent the massacre of civilians.” — David May, Research Manager and FDD Senior Research Analyst

Ceasefire Talks Continue

Negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal continued this week in Qatar and Egypt. On July 9, CIA Director Bill Burns met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani in Doha. The next day, Burns held a meeting with Al Thani, Mossad Director David Barnea, and his Egyptian counterpart, Abbas Kamel. Meanwhile, McGurk was in Israel meeting with Netanyahu and Gallant. Negotiators then traveled to Cairo on July 11 for further discussions.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters on July 11 that “the signs are more positive today than they have been in recent in recent weeks.” Still, Sullivan said that there are “miles to go before we close if we are able to close.” On July 12, President Joe Biden announced that “there is still work to do” but that Israel and Hamas had agreed on a “framework” for a ceasefire and hostage deal.

Security along the Gaza-Egypt border remains a priority. According to Axios, Israel is “focused on preventing weapons smuggling by Hamas” and wants “access to the sensors and cameras that will be placed on the Egyptian side of the border” as part of an underground wall designed to choke Hamas’s tunnel network.

Hamas Blames Israel for Lack of Progress

Despite rejecting at least five proposals this year, Hamas insists that Israel is to blame for the failure to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal. Husam Badran, a senior representative from Hamas’s political bureau, claimed on July 12 that the terrorist group had shown “great flexibility” at the negotiating table. “If there are some phrases that will make the negotiations easier and lead to the same result — the end of the war — we have no problem,” he said. Hamas has yet to drop its demand that Israel permanently end its Gaza counteroffensive as part of a deal to release the remaining hostages. However, Israel has repeatedly made clear that any deal that leaves Hamas intact is unacceptable.

Badran also called for a “non-partisan national competency government” to rule over Gaza and the West Bank after the war but said that Hamas “will not discuss the day after the war in Gaza with any external parties.”

Related Analysis

“Israel Order Evacuation of Gaza City as Ceasefire Talks Persists,” FDD Flash Brief

“Seventeen Countries Urge Hamas to Accept Ceasefire Proposal,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Tunnels to Egypt Played Key Role in Arming Hamas,” FDD Flash Brief