Israeli presence at Philadelphi, Netzarim corridors ‘not operationally necessary,’ Mossad chief says
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli Mossad chief David Barnea said Israel’s military should withdraw from the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors as part of a captive-release deal, saying its presence there is “not operationally necessary”.
According to Israel Hayom, Barnea made the comments in a private meeting with captives’ relatives on Friday, updating them on the status of the ceasefire negotiations.
A dispute over the Netzarim Corridor, which cuts through central Gaza, remains a key sticking point to the deal, he said. That’s because Israeli negotiators have insisted that Palestinians returning to northern Gaza first be vetted at the corridor. But Hamas has insisted on Israel’s full withdrawal from the enclave, including Netzarim and Philadelphi.
On Thursday, Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan for its forces to maintain a military presence in the corridors despite fierce resistance from Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and captives’ families.
“We have to choose between Philadelphi and the hostages. We can’t have both. If we vote, we might find out that either the hostages will die or we will have to backtrack to release them,” Gallant told Netanyahu and the other cabinet ministers.
