In a rare press conference on Monday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly express his insistence on maintaining a military presence along Gaza's border with Egypt, specifically the Philadelphi Corridor. He underscored the corridor's critical role in achieving Israel’s war goals, framing it as a "strategic imperative" to prevent further attacks by Hamas and ensure Israel's security.
The Necessity of Israeli Control Over the Philadelphi Corridor
Netanyahu described the Philadelphi Corridor, a 14-kilometer stretch between Gaza and Egypt, as essential for Israel to dismantle Hamas, secure the release of hostages, and protect against future threats. “This corridor is different from all the other places — it is central; it determines all of our future”, Netanyahu declared. He argued that a withdrawal, even temporarily, would enable Hamas to rearm and reorganize, potentially leading to more attacks like the one on October 7.
“If we leave the Philadelphi Corridor, we may not return for 42 years”, he stated, emphasizing the need to maintain Israeli presence to avoid international diplomatic pressures that could prevent reentry.
Addressing the Hostage Crisis
The prime minister firmly dismissed accusations that his stance on the corridor had blocked a potential deal to release hostages held by Hamas. “We didn’t manage to extricate them. We were very close. It’s terrible, but it didn’t happen because of that decision. It happened because they (Hamas) don’t want a deal”, Netanyahu asserted. He reiterated his commitment to bringing the hostages home, stating, “I look for every means… to get them home”.
He also responded to criticism regarding the deaths of six hostages murdered by Hamas, expressing his regret: “I ask for your forgiveness that we did not succeed in bringing them back alive. We were close, but we didn’t succeed”, while pledging that Hamas would “pay a very heavy price” for their actions.
Emphasizing War Goals and Rejecting Concessions
Netanyahu outlined Israel's war objectives: to destroy Hamas, retrieve all hostages, eliminate Gaza’s threat to Israel, and safely return residents from the northern border. “Three of those war goals go through one place: the Philadelphi Corridor. That is Hamas’s pipeline for oxygen and rearmament”, he argued.
He strongly opposed any notion of concessions following the hostage executions, stating,
“They shot them in the back of the head… 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, murder more hostages, you’ll get more concessions.”
Netanyahu insisted that international pressure should be focused on Hamas, not Israel: “The pressure internationally must be directed at these killers, at Hamas, not at Israel”.
Responding to Criticism and Calls for Unity
The prime minister acknowledged the internal protest on 6 Hostage death and external criticism directed at his government, yet called for national unity in the face of what he described as an existential threat from Hamas and its allies. “We must stand united as one person against a cruel enemy that wants to destroy all of us, all of us without any exceptions”, he urged.
Despite calls for withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor to expedite the war's end, Netanyahu remained unchanged that such a move would not bring back the hostages but rather embolden Hamas to take them to hostile territories like Iran or Yemen.
Clarifying Israel's Stance on Ceasefire and Future Security
Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's commitment to maintaining security control over the border crossings after Hamas’s defeat. "When the day comes that another entity can manage security under a permanent arrangement that would be acceptable", he said. However, he maintained that “right now, Israel needs to be there to prevent more massacres, abductions, and existential threats”.
He also highlighted that while a ceasefire proposal had been agreed upon by Israel — following formulas presented by President Biden — Hamas had rejected these offers twice. “We agreed to the formula that President Biden presented on May 31… Hamas rejected the first. Hamas is rejecting the second”.
A Firm Stance on Israel’s Future
In his closing remarks, Netanyahu reiterated the importance of continued Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor, calling it essential for preventing further violence and securing Israel's future. He defended his record and strategy, insisting that all decisions were made to protect Israeli citizens and prevent future threats.
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“No one should preach to me about this”, Netanyahu said, affirming his determination to ensure Israel's security, even in the face of intense political and public scrutiny.
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