Israel has announced its decision not to withdraw its forces from the Gaza-Egypt border, as required under the second phase of a truce with Hamas. The Israeli government cited concerns about preventing Hamas militants from regaining access to weapons through smuggling routes along the border.
The announcement comes as a team from Israel is dispatched for ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. The first phase of the Israel-Hamas hostage-ceasefire agreement is set to expire soon, with talks on extending the ceasefire into a second phase delayed for several weeks.
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sending a negotiating delegation to Cairo to continue discussions, it remains unclear whether the negotiations will focus on extending the first phase of the ceasefire or implementing the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as required in the second phase.
Despite calls from some politicians and officials to prioritize the release of hostages, Netanyahu's government is reportedly seeking to prolong the first phase of the ceasefire to secure more releases without withdrawing from Gaza.
Hamas has warned that Israel's failure to withdraw from the Gaza-Egypt border would constitute a violation of the ceasefire agreement and could jeopardize further negotiations. The militant group has reaffirmed its commitment to starting talks on the second phase of the ceasefire, which would involve the release of all living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli military took control of the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egyptian border in May, with Netanyahu emphasizing the strategic importance of maintaining control over the border for Israel's security.
As the ceasefire deadline approaches, tensions remain high as both sides navigate the complexities of implementing the agreement while addressing their respective security concerns and political interests.
