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Netanyahu: Israel Must Control the Philadelphi Corridor in Gaza

(Ynet News-Jerusalem Post) Itamar Eichner - In a televised address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel would not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor. He said it took Israel 20 years to once again take control of the area from where Hamas has been receiving its arms. He said leaving the area along the Gaza border with Egypt in 2005 was a strategic error that could not be corrected since, because it would have met with international condemnation and opposition. "What happened when we left was that there was no obstacle for the flow of arms, weapon-producing materials, and equipment to dig tunnels, all under the auspices of Iran. Gaza became an enormous threat on Israel because there was no barrier." "We must remain in the Philadelphi Corridor; it is crucial for Israel's security. If we leave now, it will be difficult to return....This is a strategic, existential issue for Israel....This is Hamas's lifeline. Are we going to let them rearm and slaughter us again?...Did our soldiers fall in vain, only for us to let Hamas rebuild?" Netanyahu counted the many times the U.S. praised Israel for showing flexibility in the negotiations, making concessions, and accepting the proposals of mediators, including the Americans, starting with the proposal of May 31, through the final bridging proposal of August 16, and quoted statements by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Deputy CIA chief David Cohen who said just last week the Israelis were showing seriousness in the negotiations. "So what has changed since then? Hamas executed six of our hostages. They were shot in the back of the head, and after this Israel must make concessions? What message does this send to Hamas? It says, kill more hostages. Murder more hostages. You'll get more concessions. The pressure internationally should be directed at these killers, at Hamas, not at Israel."
2024-09-03 00:00:00
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