Israel is set to begin withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor, a sensitive border zone between Gaza and Egypt, this weekend. The move marks the first phase of a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas, but its success remains uncertain.
The eight-mile strip of land, which divides Gaza from Egypt, has been a major point of contention in cease-fire talks. Israeli officials have long argued that it is essential to maintain control over the area due to concerns about Hamas smuggling arms into Gaza. However, Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration has committed to withdrawing troops from the corridor as part of the agreement.
The Philadelphi Corridor emerged during the Egypt-Israel peace treaty of 1979 and is currently overseen by Hamas. Israeli officials have described it as “Hamas’s oxygen valve,” suggesting that it allows for arms smuggling. In May, Israeli troops advanced along the corridor, leading Netanyahu to claim that leaving the area would endanger Israeli security.
Despite this, Netanyahu has committed to withdrawing from the border area, and Israel is set to leave the corridor by the end of next week. The move could provide momentum for efforts to secure a comprehensive agreement between Israel and Hamas. However, the prospect of such an agreement remains remote due to longstanding disagreements over Gaza’s control and demilitarization.
Israel has conditioned a comprehensive agreement on the end of Hamas’s control in Gaza and the demilitarization of the enclave, both of which Hamas has largely rejected. The situation is further complicated by concerns about a potential vacuum being filled by Hamas, which has been reasserting its power in Gaza since the truce went into effect in mid-January.
With negotiations between Israel, Egypt, and Qatar set to continue this week, the outcome of these talks will be crucial in determining the fate of the cease-fire.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/world/middleeast/gaza-truce-philadelphi-corridor.html