Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a heated argument with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over a ceasefire and hostage rescue agreement in the Gaza Strip.
The debate, which took place at a meeting of security officials on August 29, centered on whether the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) should leave the Philadelphia Corridor, a 14-kilometer (9-mile) stretch of the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt that is controlled by Israel.
Whether the IDF will be present in the area during the first phase of the ceasefire is a major point of contention between Israel and Hamas, which demands a complete Israeli withdrawal.
At the meeting, Netanyahu presented several maps showing how the IDF should position its troops along the corridor in the first phase of the deal, to prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons through tunnels beneath the area, sources said.
“I want to submit the decision on the IDF stationing in the Philadelphia Corridor to the cabinet for approval,” Netanyahu said. Gallant objected, saying “this would cause Hamas to disagree, leading to no agreement and no hostages being released.”
Location Gaza Strip and Israel, Egypt. Graphics: CNN
Mr. Gallant said that Prime Minister Netanyahu presented a map that was not what the Israeli negotiating team in Cairo, Egypt wanted. “He tried to force them to use this map,” Gallant said.
Despite Mr Netanyahu’s angry denial, Minister Gallant continued to say “of course he forced it, he wanted the negotiation to go his way”.
Herzi Halevi, the IDF chief of staff, appeared to support Gallant’s view. Halevi said the IDF could withdraw from the Philadelphia Corridor and return to the area “after the six-week ceasefire ends.” “We have enough constraints for negotiations, we don’t need anything more,” Halevi said.
“Of course Prime Minister Netanyahu can make all the decisions. He can also kill all the hostages,” Gallant commented. Some ministers criticized this statement.
Gallant said sarcastically that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar “will eventually give you orders and you will retreat.” Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that no one can give him orders and commented that “only tough negotiations will make Sinwar submit.”
An area of the Philadelphia Corridor on July 15. Photo: ToI
Participants in the meeting voted on the map proposed by Mr. Netanyahu, with eight in favor, Minister Gallant voting against and Israeli National Security Minister Ben Gvir abstaining.
An Israeli official said on August 31 that he could not comment on the map presented at the meeting, but confirmed that Netanyahu had asked for a vote on how the IDF would position its forces in the Philadelphia Corridor.
The conflict in the Gaza Strip erupted in October 2023, when Israel launched a military operation against the area in retaliation for an earlier Hamas attack. According to the Gaza health authority, 40,691 people were killed and 94,060 injured.
Ceasefire talks have been ongoing for the past two weeks, involving Israel and mediators from the United States, Qatar and Egypt. Hamas is not directly involved but has been informed of developments. The group has said it wants to implement a three-phase proposal put forward by US President Joe Biden in May.
The first phase includes a full and comprehensive six-week ceasefire, Israeli forces withdrawing from “all populated areas of Gaza” and Tel Aviv releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. In return, Hamas would release some of the hostages it took in the October 7, 2023, attack, including women, the elderly and the wounded, as well as return the bodies of dead hostages.
During those six weeks, Hamas and Israel will continue to negotiate the necessary agreements to move forward to the second phase of “permanent cessation of hostilities”. This phase can also be extended if the parties need time to continue discussions.
In the second phase, also expected to last six weeks, Israeli forces will withdraw completely from Gaza. Hamas will release “all remaining hostages,” including male Israeli soldiers.