Hamas has urged pressure on Netanyahu to adhere to the agreed-upon ceasefire plan, accusing the Israeli Prime Minister of undermining the deal by utilizing the Philadelphi Corridor.

JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel will only agree to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza if it retains control over the Philadelphi Corridor, the border area between southern Gaza and Egypt. Speaking in Jerusalem on Wednesday, Netanyahu stated that Israel needs guarantees that the corridor will not be used by Hamas for weapon smuggling before it will consider withdrawing.

Netanyahu’s firm position has become a major stumbling block in ceasefire negotiations. “Gaza must be demilitarized, and this can only happen if the Philadelphi Corridor remains under firm control,” Netanyahu told foreign journalists on Wednesday. The United Arab Emirates has criticized Israel’s decision, while international mediators such as Egypt, the US, and Qatar are pushing for a timeline for Israel’s evacuation. Netanyahu is facing criticism from a large number of Israelis and his own security officials at home, who contend that focused interventions would be sufficient in the absence of long-term force deployments.

In a statement released on Thursday, Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of intentionally delaying ceasefire talks and aiming to prolong the war on Gaza. “Netanyahu’s decision not to withdraw from the Salah al-Din [Philadelphi Corridor] axis aims to thwart reaching an agreement,” Hamas said.

Hamas also warned against falling into what they described as Netanyahu’s trap, alleging that he uses negotiations to extend the aggression against their people. “We do not need new proposals. What is required now is to pressure Netanyahu and his government and oblige them to what has been agreed upon,” the statement reads.

Sources: Al-Jazeera & Reuters