JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed on Wednesday his opposition to withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor, the strategic border area between Gaza and Egypt, citing concerns that Hamas could smuggle hostages out of Gaza.

Speaking to foreign media in Jerusalem, Netanyahu emphasized that holding the corridor is essential for Israel's security and efforts to retrieve Israeli hostages, according to the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

In his address, Netanyahu presented a map of the Middle East, stating: “When Hamas speaks of liberating Palestine from the river to the sea, they are talking about the destruction of Israel.”

Netanyahu also highlighted the significance of the Philadelphi Corridor, which has been a focal point of contention in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

He argued that withdrawing from the corridor would make it impossible to prevent Hamas from smuggling both weapons and hostages, saying, “We need something to pressure them into releasing the hostages.”

The Prime Minister faced significant backlash earlier in the week after six Israeli hostages' bodies were recovered from a tunnel in Gaza.

Critics argue that Netanyahu’s refusal to withdraw from the corridor has complicated potential prisoner swap deals with Hamas.

Despite this, Netanyahu remains firm, asserting that Gaza must be demilitarized and that the corridor must remain under Israeli control to prevent Hamas from resupplying.

Addressing the question of US involvement, Netanyahu acknowledged discussions with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken “about reducing Israeli military presence along the corridor” but stressed that “any cease-fire negotiations must include guarantees that the Philadelphi Corridor remains secure.”

While Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and the return of displaced Palestinians, Netanyahu continues to push for maintaining control over key areas like the Philadelphi Corridor and Netsarim in the south and center of the Gaza Strip.

Israel estimates that over 100 hostages are still held by Hamas in Gaza, some of whom are believed to have been already killed.

For months, the US, Qatar, and Egypt have been trying to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas to ensure a prisoner exchange and a cease-fire and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

But mediation efforts have been stalled due to Netanyahu’s refusal to meet Hamas’ demands to stop the war.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 Hamas attack despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 40,800 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed and nearly 94,400 others injured, according to local health authorities.

An ongoing blockade of the enclave has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins.

Israel faces accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio