“We demand the withdrawal of the (Israeli) military from the Philadelphia Corridor,” a high-ranking Egyptian source told Al-Qahera News television network, and estimated that the statements on Israeli media about commitments related to the area are part of attempts by the Government of Benjamin Netanyahu to hide its military failure in Gaza.
The official stressed Egypt’s position on the evacuation of Israeli forces from the Palestinian side as a condition for the reopening of the Rafah border crossing.
Two weeks ago, a senior Egyptian official reiterated his country’s stance on the issue. “There is no truth in the statements about the existence of Egypt-Israel security arrangements on the border with the coastal enclave,” he told Al-Ahram newspaper.
According to regional media, as part of an eventual commitment, Israel agreed to withdraw its forces from the Philadelphia Corridor, and in exchange, Egypt would implement a joint electronic surveillance system to prevent the transfer of weapons and war supplies across the demarcation line.
Egyptian authorities have repeatedly rejected any coordination with Israel over the Gaza border and criticized multiple suggestions to manage the Rafah crossing together.
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