Israel’s decision to hold its position within a slender stretch of desert along the Gaza border with Egypt is challenging the existing ceasefire agreement with Hamas and may jeopardize the already delicate truce. An Israeli official indicated on Thursday that Israeli troops would maintain their presence in the Philadelphi corridor, a move aimed at thwarting weapons smuggling. The anonymity of the official was preserved due to procedural stipulations.
As per last month’s ceasefire pact, Israel was supposed to commence its withdrawal on the forthcoming Saturday and conclude within eight days. However, Hamas has declared that retaining the corridor as a buffer zone would be a “blatant violation” of the truce terms. Egypt, an essential mediator in the ceasefire, has not yet publicly responded to Israel’s actions, despite its known opposition to any Israeli forces stationed on the Gaza side.
This Saturday marks the end of the ceasefire’s initial phase. Talks have not yet commenced for the more complex second phase, during which Hamas is expected to release more hostages in return for a lasting ceasefire. In the absence of an agreement, hostilities might reignite.
The Philadelphi corridor has long been a flashpoint. It is a narrow, barren strip stretching 14 kilometers (8.6 miles) along Gaza’s southern frontier with Egypt and includes the critical Rafah crossing. This crossing was Gaza’s sole non-Israeli controlled portal to the outside world, until Israeli forces took over the entire corridor last May.
During a news briefing in September, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of exploiting tunnels under the border for arms smuggling, as part of its effort to revitalize its military force since the conflict’s eruption on October 7, 2023. Despite Israeli claims, local media have reported that these tunnels have lain unused for several years, with sources citing that nine tunnels beneath the corridor have been sealed from the Egyptian side following President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s campaign against them starting in 2013.
The Israeli army posits that the majority of weapons in Gaza are produced on-site, using raw materials likely smuggled via the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings, the latter regulated by Israel. On Thursday, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed to have observed several unobstructed tunnels during a recent inspection, though no tangible proof was provided. Meanwhile, Egypt has refuted these assertions, maintaining that it dismantled hundreds of tunnels years ago and fortified its side to curb smuggling efforts.
Within the framework of the ceasefire, which began in January, Israel and Hamas agreed to a curtailed engagement and the phased liberation of hostages, suspending over a year of conflict. Hamas has released 25 Israeli captives and the remains of eight others, reciprocated by Israel’s release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. This has resulted in Israeli withdrawal from most sectors and an influx of humanitarian aid.
The subsequent phase envisages Hamas releasing the remaining hostages in return for additional prisoner releases, a comprehensive Israeli retreat, and a permanent ceasefire. Then, a third phase envisions the exchange of deceased remains and Gaza’s reconstruction commencement. Unfortunately, negotiations are stalled with just preliminary discussions so far.
Prime Minister Netanyahu remains resolute in his dual objectives: rescuing all hostages and dismantling Hamas’s military and political infrastructure, though these objectives seemingly conflict, particularly with Hamas holding sway over Gaza and instructing actions against hostages if rescue missions are suspected.
Despite backing Israel’s war objectives, the U.S., through its Mideast envoy, hopes to progress into the ceasefire’s second phase and is slated for an imminent regional visit. However, a constant Israeli presence in Gaza is vehemently opposed by Hamas, interpreting it as military occupation. This prospect might also strain Israel’s diplomatic ties with Egypt, a crucial peace partner and intermediary in the negotiation process.
The potential consequence extends to the United States, a non-committal stance on the corridor notwithstanding. Further, President Donald Trump has yet to comment on how the corridor factors into his conjectured plan for relocating Gaza’s populace to allow for transformative tourist development in the area.
