Israel Won’t Leave Gaza Border Without Security Guarantees, Netanyahu Says

Netanyahu says Israel will only leave Gaza’s border if guarantees are made to stop Hamas from using the area for smuggling weapons and supplies.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel will only agree to a ceasefire in Gaza if it can stop Hamas from using the Gaza-Egypt border. He wants to make sure that Hamas can’t use the area to bring in weapons or supplies.

In a press conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu made it clear: “We won’t leave until we know the border is safe.” He is talking about a specific area called the Philadelphi corridor, which is at the southern edge of Gaza, right next to Egypt. 

This place has been a big problem because Hamas has been using tunnels under it to smuggle in weapons.

Netanyahu explained that Israel cannot leave this area unless there are strong guarantees. He said that whoever runs Gaza after the fighting must prove they can stop these tunnels from being used. “Someone needs to be there to show us, every day, that they can prevent this from happening again,” 

Netanyahu said. He was talking about Hamas’s attack on Israel that happened on October 7.

There has been pressure from other countries for Israel to leave the Philadelphi corridor as part of a peace deal. But Netanyahu is standing firm. He said if Israel leaves too soon, they may never be able to come back and stop Hamas again.

Many people in Israel, including some security experts, disagree with Netanyahu. They think Israeli troops could pull out but still come back for special missions if needed to stop smuggling. 

Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas are also upset. They believe that by staying in the corridor, Netanyahu is delaying the release of their loved ones, who might be freed in a deal for Palestinian prisoners.

However, Netanyahu believes that keeping control of the Philadelphi corridor is the best way to pressure Hamas. He thinks the more pressure Israel puts on Hamas, the sooner they will release the 101 hostages still being held in Gaza.

"You have to keep squeezing Hamas to get the hostages back," Netanyahu said. “If you want the hostages freed, you need to control the Philadelphi corridor."

The situation in Gaza is very serious. The fighting continues, and the future of the hostages, the Philadelphi corridor, and any chance for peace all depend on what happens next. Netanyahu is making it clear that Israel will not agree to a ceasefire unless they are sure that Hamas can no longer use the border to bring in weapons.