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SvennoJ 22 hours ago
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Israeli defence minister says Philadelphi Corridor in Gaza to remain ‘buffer zone’: Report

Defense Minister Israel Katz has told Israeli broadcaster Channel 7 that the area along the border between Egypt and Gaza, the so-called Philadelphi Corridor, will remain a buffer zone “just like in Lebanon and Syria”.

We have reported earlier that according to unnamed Israeli officials quoted by the Israeli media, the Israeli military intends to keep its forces in the area.

Israel was supposed to begin withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor on Saturday, the last day of the first phase, and complete the withdrawal within eight days.


Hamas condemns Israel’s refusal to withdraw from Egypt-Gaza border

We reported earlier how Defence Minister Israel Katz told local media that the Israeli military will not leave the border area between Gaza and Egypt and keep it as a “buffer zone” just like it occupied parts of Lebanon and Syria.

The idea is a “clear violation of the ceasefire agreement”, Hamas said in a statement.

“Hamas while confirming its full commitment to the ceasefire agreement … is also urging the mediators, the international community and all relevant parties to take immediate and serious action to compel the Israeli occupation to abide by the requirements and provisions of the agreement, and to work hard to prevent Netanyahu and his criminal government from disrupting and thwarting it,” the group said.


Israel is ‘planning to escalate again’: Hamas official

Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, has spoken to Al Jazeera about the group’s position on negotiations for phase two of the ceasefire. Here are some of his main points:

  • Until now, the Israelis have refused to engage in negotiations for the second phase and, therefore, are violating and endangering the ceasefire.
  • Israel has threatened directly or indirectly that its forces may return to war and are planning an escalation, but Hamas is committed to the ceasefire.
  • Israel has killed more than 100 Palestinians during the ceasefire, prevented aid promised in the agreement from entering the Gaza Strip and delayed the release of prisoners.
  • He conveyed to mediators that Hamas is ready to negotiate on the second phase based on the original signed agreement.
  • Hamas cannot accept ending the first phase on Saturday without being engaged or involved in negotiations for the second phase.
  • Israel has violated the deal many times, but Hamas’s main goals are to achieve an end to the war and a withdrawal of all Israeli forces and start a rebuilding process.
  • Hamas will still be committed to the deal if it can achieve these three goals.
  • Hamas represents the vast majority of Palestinians and is part of the social fabric and the political arena of the Palestinians.
  • Hamas hopes that mediators do their duties and oblige Israel to abide by the deal by engaging in the second phase, advancing a permanent ceasefire and withdrawing its military forces from the Gaza Strip.
  • If Israel does not withdraw, Hamas is “ready for all scenarios”.
  • What Israel has done in Gaza, it is threatening to do in the occupied West Bank, destroying houses and taking Palestinians from their homes.
  • It is not about Gaza or Hamas. It is about the “fascist” and “racist” ideology of the Israeli government, which seeks to get rid of all Palestinians from their homeland.
  • An escalation in the Gaza Strip will not bring about “security, prosperity or stability to the region”, as Trump has stated, but would rather “destabilise the whole region, not only the Gaza Strip”