Defending himself against charges of blocking a hostage deal on Monday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued forcefully for what he said was the “strategic imperative” to keep Israeli troops stationed along the so-called Philadelphia Corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt.
Speaking with reporters during a rare press conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu insisted that the 14-kilometer (8.7 miles) strip of land is essential for Israel to achieve its war aims.
Were the IDF to withdraw even for the 42-day first phase of a deal, in an effort to secure the release of numerous living hostages, it would never be able to return, he claimed, and thus Hamas would be able to rearm, revive, and carry out many more October 7 massacres.
He rejected the assertion that the six hostages murdered by Hamas in Gaza last week were killed because his terms had prevented a deal. “We didn’t manage to extricate them. We were very close. It’s terrible,” he said. “But it didn’t happen because of that decision [on the Philadelphi Corridor.] It happened, first, because they (Hamas) don’t want a deal,” he said. “I look for every means… to get them home,” he said of the hostages.
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Speaking with reporters during a rare press conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu insisted that the 14-kilometer (8.7 miles) strip of land is essential for Israel to achieve its war aims.
Were the IDF to withdraw even for the 42-day first phase of a deal, in an effort to secure the release of numerous living hostages, it would never be able to return, he claimed, and thus Hamas would be able to rearm, revive, and carry out many more October 7 massacres.
He rejected the assertion that the six hostages murdered by Hamas in Gaza last week were killed because his terms had prevented a deal. “We didn’t manage to extricate them. We were very close. It’s terrible,” he said. “But it didn’t happen because of that decision [on the Philadelphi Corridor.] It happened, first, because they (Hamas) don’t want a deal,” he said. “I look for every means… to get them home,” he said of the hostages.
More
Netanyahu: If we leave Philadelphi, Hamas will be able to rearm, revive, repeat Oct. 7
After PM rejects even 42-day IDF withdrawal from Gaza-Egypt border as part of hostage-ceasefire agreement, Lapid charges he wants war forever, will never make a deal
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