Netanyahu’s stance on Philadelphi Corridor deadly for captives: Captive’s sister
We have reported earlier that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said 90 percent of the Gaza deal had been agreed but some “critical issues” remain, including the Philadelphi Corridor on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt, where Israel wants to maintain control.
Ofri Bibas Levy, the sister of Yarden Bibas, who was taken captive with his family, told Israeli radio station Reshet Bet that Netanyahu’s stance means that “more abductees will be murdered” in Gaza.
“It’s hard for me to be optimistic, but without our struggle they will not return. When Bibi continues and repeats that they will not give up Philadelphi [Corridor], for me it means that there is no deal and more abductees will be murdered,” she said, referring to Netanyahu.
Israel presence in Philadelphi Corridor part of Netanyahu’s wider plan
While US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reiterated his claim that a Gaza deal is within reach despite some remaining critical issues, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “made it perfectly clear that he will never withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor”, Qatar University’s international relations professor Hassan Barari has told Al Jazeera.
Netanyahu’s keenness to maintain control of the southern edge of the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt, which he has previously described as “the gateway to Iran”, is part of a “bigger game than what Blinken is thinking of”, Barari said.
While the US is likely pushing for Israel to withdraw from the area, “Netanyahu is telling them: Don’t even dream of that”, the analyst added.
Nearly half of Israelis favour ceding control of Philadelphi Corridor: Poll
A new poll released by Israel’s Maariv newspaper suggests that 48 percent of Israelis support relinquishing control of the Philadelphi Corridor in southern Gaza to secure the release of Israeli captives.
Only 37 percent favour maintaining control of the area bordering Egypt, even if it means sacrificing a deal.
The results show significant opposition to the stance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has repeatedly insisted on keeping Israeli forces stationed at the corridor.
Despite this, Netanyahu remains one of the most popular Israeli leaders, according to the Maariv poll conducted by Lazar Research, outperforming all major prime ministerial contenders, except Naftali Bennett.
In a head-to-head matchup, the poll suggests that 49 percent of Israelis find Bennett, a former prime minister and head of the New Right party, more suitable for the premiership, compared with 34 percent who prefer Netanyahu.
