Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday rejected calls to soften his refusal to withdraw troops from the southern Gazan border area as the price for a ceasefire deal, saying it was vital for Israel to control a key lifeline for Hamas.
The issue of the so-called Philadelphi corridor, on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt, has been a major sticking point in efforts to secure a deal to halt the fighting in Gaza and return Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Hamas has rejected any Israeli presence, while Netanyahu has insisted that Israel will not abandon the corridor, where Israeli troops have uncovered dozens of tunnels they say have been used to smuggle weapons and ammunition into Gaza.
“The axis of evil needs the Philadelphi corridor and for that reason we must control the Philadelphi corridor,” he told a news conference in Jerusalem.
“Hamas insists for that reason that we not be there and for that reason I insist that we be there,” he said.
If Israel were to pull out of the corridor, international pressure would make it difficult to return, he said.
Netanyahu’s stance on the negotiations, which have been continuing for weeks while showing little sign of a breakthrough, has frustrated allies, including the United States and widened a rift with his own defence minister, Yoav Gallant.
On Monday, US President Joe Biden said Netanyahu was not doing enough to secure a hostage deal, an issue that has gained renewed urgency following the recovery of the bodies of six hostages on Sunday, only hours after they were shot dead.
Asked about Biden’s comments, Netanyahu said the pressure should be applied to Hamas, not Israel, particularly after the death of the hostages.
“And now after this we’re asked to show seriousness? We’re asked to make concessions? What message does this send Hamas? It says, kill more hostages,” he said.
He said he did not believe Biden or anyone serious about achieving peace would ask Israel to make more concessions: “We’ve already made them. Hamas has to make the concession.”
