Netanyahu ⁣Refuses to Leave Philadelphia Axis, Complicating Ceasefire Negotiations

Israeli Prime ‍Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his commitment to ‌maintaining an Israeli military‌ presence ⁤in the Philadelphia axis along the Gaza Strip border with Egypt, despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

The⁢ presence ‍of the Israeli army in the axis‍ has⁤ been a major point of contention in the months-long negotiations, with Egypt and Hamas rejecting Israel’s presence there. Netanyahu believes that the Israeli army will‍ ensure its presence and prevent Hamas from receiving weapons.

Analysts say that⁣ Netanyahu’s equation has ⁤become “absolutely clear,” where he believes maintaining an Israeli military presence in the‌ Philadelphia axis ‍is ​”of the utmost importance, even if it⁤ means​ killing prisoners by ‌Hamas.”

The Israeli ⁢army announced on Sunday that six bodies found in Gaza were hostages who had been “shot in the back of the head.” Netanyahu stood in front of a map that included Israel⁢ and the Gaza Strip without any presence‍ of the occupied West Bank and said: “Our position on the Philadelphia axis is firm and will not change.”

Netanyahu added: “Our entry into the Philadelphia axis forced Hamas ⁤to change its position in the negotiations. We experienced a change⁢ in the military situation in our favor. The Philadelphia⁤ axis is⁤ its ⁤oxygen pipeline⁢ and must be cut ⁢off.”

US President ‍Joe Biden said that Netanyahu‌ was “not doing enough” to reach an ​agreement to release abductees held by Hamas. Washington is “closer ‍to presenting a final proposal.”

Israeli analysts believe that ​Netanyahu’s stance on the talks has widened the rift ⁣between him and Defense Minister Yoav Galant, who believes that allowing Israeli forces to remain‌ in⁢ the Philadelphia axis would return ‌more abductees to Hamas.

Hamas announced on Monday that it had “new instructions” for the guards of abductees ⁢in Gaza​ on how to deal‍ with Israeli forces when they approach ‍detention sites.

Despite the complications, analysts believe that the negotiations have ⁢not reached an⁢ end, and there is no escape from ⁣their continuation.‌ The American, Egyptian, and ⁢Qatari are trying to formulate ⁢a new ⁤proposal ⁤in addition ⁤to the existing proposal and present ‌it to both sides.

The Palestinian analyst, Ashraf Al-Akka, agrees with this opinion, who confirmed that “hope⁢ still exists, especially in light of the‍ presence of​ American importance and active American diplomatic activity.”

Al-Akka continued: “There are a number of reasons to put ⁢pressure on Netanyahu, such as the⁢ position ‍of the security agencies and‍ the ⁤protests and the widening ‍of the circle of conflict ‍in‍ the West Bank.”

On Wednesday, Israel launched a military⁣ operation in the West Bank, one of its largest in months, saying “Iranian-backed armed groups are ⁤planning to⁣ attack civilian targets.”

At least 29 Palestinians ⁢were killed ‍and armed groups including Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed most of‍ their membership. The Palestinian Health Authority⁤ reported that 121 others were injured.

Three Israeli policemen were also killed‍ when the car they were traveling in caught fire near the ‍occupied West Bank city⁢ of Hebron on Sunday.

The army said security​ forces surrounded a house in ‌Hebron and killed a Palestinian suspected of carrying out the attack.

Al-Akka continued⁤ his​ speech by‌ saying: “Netanyahu will not‍ last⁢ long under the pressure of the​ military establishment, and with the dangerous turn of the ‌West Bank, ⁣he ⁤is ⁤trying to mix the card of the region,⁣ the political⁢ card to prolong the war with military, security and ideology.”

But, he added, “I​ think we’re close to an agreement.”