In a decisive and resolute address to the foreign press in Jerusalem on Wednesday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored the non-negotiable nature of Israel's security needs amid ongoing discussions over a potential permanent ceasefire. Addressing the singular condition that Israel has maintained since seizing control over Rafah, Netanyahu revealed that Israel would in fact consider withdrawing troops from the strategically vital Philadelphi Corridor, however this could only occur during Phase 2 of a hostage release deal as there is concern based on past experience that Hamas will violate the deal before phase 2. Netanyahu did emphasize though, that any such move would be contingent upon strict conditions that ensure the corridor remains impenetrable to terrorist activities.

Netanyahu's message was unequivocal: "The conditions that we shall have for a permanent ceasefire must include a situation where the Philadelphi Corridor cannot be perforated." This statement was not merely a reiteration but a stern reminder of Israel’s hard-earned lessons from past security lapses, particularly following the 2005 unilateral Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip. Back then, Israel's withdrawal led to the Philadelphi Corridor becoming a porous conduit for smuggling weapons and other contraband, a vulnerability ruthlessly exploited by Hamas and its backers, notably Iran.

.@Netanyahu makes a clear and convincing case as to why @Israel will not concede control of the Philadelphi corridor. A very powerful example of leadership under fire.

I welcome arguments to the contrary. https://t.co/mpjI1mgbPm

— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) September 5, 2024

Netanyahu did not mince words as he described the consequences of Israel’s previous disengagement. “Once we left the Philadelphi Corridor,” Netanyahu stated, “Iran could carry out its plan to turn Gaza into a base, a terrorist enclave, that would endanger not only the communities around it but would endanger Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Beersheva.” He painted a stark picture of the security threats emanating from Gaza: rockets, missiles, drones, ammunition, weapons manufacturing equipment, and tunnel drilling gear—all flowing freely into Hamas' hands through the corridor, despite Egyptian efforts to stem the tide.

The Prime Minister's briefing underscored the corridor's pivotal role in Hamas’ operations and, by extension, in the October 7 massacres, which shocked Israel and the world. Netanyahu made it clear that controlling the Philadelphi Corridor is not just a strategic necessity—it is central to achieving all of Israel’s war objectives. He emphasized that Israel cannot hope to defeat Hamas or ensure the safe return of hostages if the terror group can continue to replenish its arsenal through smuggling tunnels, and, crucially, Israel cannot guarantee that Gaza will cease to be a terror threat if these tunnels remain operational.

Netanyahu using visual aids to show how the Philadelphi Corridor was the "oxygen pipe" to Hamas, where they smuggled in weapons pic.twitter.com/kSwxQu2ofN

— Lahav Harkov 🎗️ (@LahavHarkov) September 2, 2024

Drawing on historical precedents, Netanyahu highlighted the international pressures that have consistently hindered Israel's re-engagement in areas previously vacated during military operations. He warned, “There will be enormous international pressure not to come back,” adding, “We’ll pay an exorbitant price in many fields, including in the lives of our men, to come back.” This stark reminder serves as a potent argument against any premature withdrawal from the corridor without ironclad security guarantees—guarantees that, as Netanyahu noted, are often elusive amid international diplomatic machinations.

In pushing back against critics who question his commitment to securing deals, Netanyahu pointed to his role in brokering the first hostage release agreement in November 2023, a deal that successfully brought back 150 hostages, 117 of whom were alive. “I’m willing to make a deal,” he stated emphatically. “I made one already; one that brought back 150 hostages, 117 of them alive.” Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to the safe return of the remaining 101 hostages, but he was clear: leaving the Philadelphi Corridor is not a concession that will advance their release. Rather, it would compromise Israel's broader strategic position.

Netanyahu also made it clear that Hamas’ willingness to negotiate has been directly influenced by Israel's military successes on the ground. He asserted that Israel's military leverage is pivotal in shaping any negotiations, underscoring the importance of maintaining control over critical strategic points like the Philadelphi Corridor.

🔴📰 Brett Stevens, a senior writer in the New York Times who called Netanyahu to resign and said he is a danger to Israel, writes in a new article that the hostage deal would be a poison pill for Israel. He states that if Israel withdraws from the Philadelphi corridor, even… pic.twitter.com/Hw0dY9KzGd

— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) September 4, 2024

In his closing remarks, Netanyahu drew a red line: the Philadelphi Corridor. “I think there is the possibility of getting this deal if we stick to this strategy,” he concluded. For Netanyahu, the corridor is more than a strip of land—it is a symbol of Israel's unwavering stance on security and a linchpin in its broader strategic calculations. The message to Hamas, and to the international community, is clear: Israel's security is not up for negotiation, and the Philadelphi Corridor will remain firmly under Israeli control until robust measures are in place to ensure that it cannot be used as a gateway for terror.