Published: 12:59, August 22, 2024
Netanyahu says Israeli troops not to leave Gaza-Egypt border
By Xinhua
Palestinians are silhouetted against the setting sun as they stand on a hill on the Gaza-Egypt border in Rafah, on the Southern Gaza Strip, on Dec 26, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (PHOTO / AFP)

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied on Wednesday that he has agreed to withdraw military forces from the Gaza-Egypt border as part of a potential ceasefire deal with Hamas, according to a statement from his office.

The current US-backed bridging proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages -- which US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday Israel has accepted -- includes a withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Philadelphi Corridor, a key border area between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, Israel's state-owned Kan TV previously claimed.

Both Hamas and Egypt, a critical mediator in the negotiations, reportedly oppose Israeli control over the corridor.

READ MORE: Rafah crossing between Gaza, Egypt closed over security

Netanyahu called the reports "incorrect" and emphasized that Israel has not agreed to relinquish control over the area, according to the statement from his office.

"Israel will insist on achieving all of its war objectives as defined by the Security Cabinet, including ensuring that Gaza never again poses a security threat to Israel," the statement said.

"This requires securing the southern border," it added.

READ MORE: Israel declares victory over Hamas's Rafah division in Gaza

Also on Wednesday, Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden spoke by phone to discuss advancing the ceasefire-for-hostages deal, the White House said in a statement, without elaborating.

Israeli military officials have repeatedly stated that Israel could meet its security needs without maintaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor.

The Israeli Ynet news website quoted anonymous Israeli security officials accusing Netanyahu of hampering efforts to reach an agreement, arguing that his insistence on control over the corridor could jeopardize the deal.