Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence on occupying Gaza’s border with Egypt has emerged as a significant roadblock to ongoing ceasefire negotiations, while protests erupt across Israel, demanding action to release hostages held by Hamas. As tensions rise, Netanyahu’s refusal to surrender control over the Philadelphi Corridor is delaying potential peace agreements, drawing criticism from within his government and from key international players, including U.S. President Joe Biden.
At the heart of the current impasse is Netanyahu’s firm stance on maintaining Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor—a narrow strip of land that runs along Gaza’s border with Egypt. Netanyahu claims, without providing evidence, that this area serves as a critical lifeline for Hamas, allowing the group to smuggle materials that sustain its operations. Both Hamas and Egyptian officials have rejected this claim. Despite the lack of substantiation, Netanyahu remains unwavering, positioning control over the corridor as a non-negotiable element of any ceasefire agreement.
This stance has proven to be a major sticking point in ceasefire talks, with all other parties involved opposing the proposal. Egypt, in particular, views an Israeli military presence in the corridor as a violation of longstanding peace accords, including the 1979 Israeli-Egypt treaty. Experts warn that Netanyahu’s plan would deepen Israel’s occupation of Gaza, further restricting the movement of Palestinians and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. His continued demand for occupation risks not only prolonging the conflict but also destabilizing the region by heightening tensions with neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, Israel has already exerted control over Gaza’s borders for months, severely restricting the flow of essential materials and contributing to a manufactured humanitarian catastrophe. Since Israel’s takeover of the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border, aid deliveries have plummeted, leaving Gaza in a state of extreme deprivation. The blockade has resulted in famine-like conditions and created widespread public health crises, including outbreaks of preventable diseases.
Protests in Israel have reached a fever pitch, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets and going on strike over the government’s perceived inaction on securing the release of hostages. More than 240 Israelis and others were taken captive by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, and while some hostages have been returned or rescued, many remain in captivity. Over the weekend, the bodies of six hostages were recovered from Gaza, intensifying public demands for a resolution to the crisis.
However, Netanyahu appears to be prioritizing the occupation of the Philadelphi Corridor over negotiations for a ceasefire that could secure the hostages’ release. During a recent press conference, the Israeli prime minister reiterated that he would not “surrender to pressure” for a ceasefire, further stating that any deal must include Israeli control over the border strip with Egypt. His stance has been criticized as both impractical and dangerous, with detractors accusing him of using the hostages as leverage to continue Israel’s broader campaign against Gaza.
Tension within Netanyahu’s government is also growing. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has reportedly clashed with the prime minister over his refusal to agree to a ceasefire. Leaked reports indicate that during a security cabinet meeting, Gallant accused Netanyahu of presenting altered maps of the Philadelphi Corridor in an attempt to block negotiations. Gallant argued that Netanyahu’s insistence on border control would prevent any agreement from being reached, noting that Hamas would never agree to such a condition. “The significance of [the corridor occupation] is that Hamas won’t agree to it, so there won’t be an agreement and there won’t be any hostages released,” Gallant reportedly said.
Netanyahu’s hardline position has also drawn criticism from international allies, including the United States. U.S. President Joe Biden, who has largely provided unconditional support to Israel throughout the ongoing conflict, expressed frustration with Netanyahu’s approach to ceasefire negotiations. When asked by a reporter whether Netanyahu was doing enough to secure a deal, Biden’s blunt response was, “No.”
While U.S. officials continue to claim that a ceasefire agreement is close, there is little evidence to support this assertion. Netanyahu’s refusal to back down on the Philadelphi Corridor issue remains a significant obstacle, with Egyptian and Palestinian leaders refusing to engage on the basis of this demand. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza grows more dire by the day, with international organizations warning that time is running out to prevent an even greater catastrophe.
The United Nations and other humanitarian groups have been working to address urgent needs in Gaza, including the recent polio vaccination campaign, which faced significant obstacles due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes. While 187,000 children were vaccinated over a three-day period, Israeli bombings targeted locations near the vaccination centers, further endangering civilians and healthcare workers alike. Without a ceasefire, health officials warn that such efforts will continue to be disrupted, and the already critical humanitarian situation in Gaza will worsen.
As Biden put it when pressed on whether Netanyahu was truly committed to securing a deal, the answer was a stark “No.”
COMMENTS