- Netanyahu expresses that the Philadelphia corridor will not be left unattended.
Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is adamant about retaining command over the Philadelphi Corridor, a roughly 14-kilometer stretch along the boundary dividing the Gaza Strip from Egypt. At a press conference, he asserted, "We won't relinquish the Philadelphi Corridor." He deemed it essential for Israel's strategic and political interests.
The persistence of Israeli military personnel in the area could create substantial challenges in forging a truce in the Gaza conflict and the liberation of hostages still captive by Hamas, the Islamic extremist group. Both Hamas and Egypt urge Israel to evacuate its troops.
Furthermore, Netanyahu threatened severe retribution towards Hamas, stating that they would face "severe consequences" for the demise of six Israeli hostages, whose lifeless bodies were found in an underground tunnel in southern Gaza. According to news outlets, the Israeli Ministry of Health reported that the hostages were executed at point-blank range around 48 to 72 hours prior to the autopsy.
"We won't allow this atrocity to go unanswered," Netanyahu declared. He extended his sympathies to the bereaved families, acknowledging, "we failed to bring them back alive."
Previously, thousands of Israelis had expressed their desire for a hostage release agreement through protests on the streets, voicing their frustration with their leadership. "Your actions led to their demise," Israeli media reported, quoting a man whose brother remains imprisoned in Gaza.
The ongoing occupation of the Philadelphi Corridor by Israeli forces could potentially escalate into a full-blown war with Hamas and Egypt, who are insistent on Israel's withdrawal. The tragic death of the Israeli hostages has further fueled tensions, leading Netanyahu to vow harsh retaliation against Hamas.
