Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains adamant about maintaining control of the Philadelphi Route, a strategic corridor between Gaza and Egypt, to thwart Hamas' alleged plot to smuggle remaining Israeli hostages out of the besieged enclave. He believes this measure is crucial for national security and securing the release of the hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed unwavering determination to maintain Israeli forces' presence in the Philadelphi Route, citing grave national security concerns and the imperative to ensure the safe return of remaining Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas.
Netanyahu's stance aligns with intelligence reports suggesting that Hamas intends to clandestinely transport some of the 97 remaining Israeli hostages through the Philadelphi Route into the Sinai Peninsula, which has become a sanctuary for Islamic militant groups. The hostages could potentially be transferred to Yemen or Iran, effectively disappearing forever.
Netanyahu Insists on Holding Philadelphi Route to Prevent Hamas Hostage Smuggling
The prime minister emphasized that holding the Philadelphi corridor is paramount to preventing Hamas from rearming and re-establishing Gaza as an Iranian terror stronghold that poses an existential threat to Israel. Additionally, it would hinder Hamas' efforts to smuggle hostages into Egypt and subsequently into the Sinai Peninsula.
Netanyahu's comments resonate with a report published in The Jewish Chronicle, which claimed that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is orchestrating a covert plan to evacuate himself, other Hamas leadership, and some Israeli hostages through the Philadelphi Route en route to Iran. Israeli intelligence sources are cited as the source of the information, although several Israeli news outlets have disputed the veracity of the report. Fox News Digital has not independently verified the intelligence.
Netanyahu Insists on Holding Philadelphi Route to Prevent Hamas Hostage Smuggling
During his interview with Fox News, Netanyahu did not elaborate on the specific leverage Hamas could gain by smuggling the hostages out of Gaza. However, securing the hostages' release has become increasingly central to the ceasefire negotiations.
Following the brutal killing of six Israeli hostages who had been held prisoner by Hamas since October 2023, Netanyahu has vehemently opposed U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire agreement. Three of the slain hostages were reportedly included in a proposed July ceasefire deal that ultimately fell through.
Netanyahu Insists on Holding Philadelphi Route to Prevent Hamas Hostage Smuggling
"We're doing everything we can to get the remainder [out]," Netanyahu affirmed. "But Hamas consistently refuses to make a deal."
Details of the ceasefire agreement proposed by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt have been kept secret, with recent reports indicating that the latest deal was rejected by Hamas due to Israel's refusal to relinquish control of the Philadelphi Route.
Netanyahu Insists on Holding Philadelphi Route to Prevent Hamas Hostage Smuggling
Netanyahu vehemently refuted such claims, maintaining that Israel's stance is not solely about holding the corridor but rather about safeguarding its security and the well-being of its citizens.
"What we have to do is to make sure that we do two things," Netanyahu outlined. "One, get the hostages out. And second, keep the red lines that are necessary for Israel's security and survival. I think both of them go through holding the Philadelphi corridor."
Netanyahu Insists on Holding Philadelphi Route to Prevent Hamas Hostage Smuggling
Despite Netanyahu's resolute stand against ceding control of the strategic route and Hamas' alleged refusal to release hostages while Israeli operations continue in Gaza, Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed optimism on Thursday about the progress of negotiations.
Blinken stated that "90 percent is agreed" but that "a few critical issues" remained outstanding, including the Philadelphi corridor and the specifics of hostage and prisoner exchange. He anticipates that an updated agreement will be shared with Hamas by Egypt and Qatar, and with Israel by the U.S., in the coming days.
Blinken expressed hope that the parties involved will make a decision on the agreement soon, adding, "Then it will be time really for the parties to decide yes or no, and then we’ll see."
