Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an English-language press conference Wednesday evening on the war against Hamas in which he stressed the need for Israel to maintain control of the Philadelphi Corridor.
“Once we got out, once we left the Philadelphi Corridor, 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, Be’er Sheva, the entire country of Israel. It became a huge terrorist base because we left that corridor,” he said.
“You have to understand the centrality of the Philadelphi Corridor to the arming of Gaza, to the arming of Hamas, and this all led to the October 7th massacre, which Hamas has proudly vowed to do again and again and again.
There must be a reversal of the devastating 2005 decision that forced Israel to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor. Netanyahu laid out the facts clearly and succinctly on why Israel must not leave again. This decision is not a political one, it’s not a power grab, nor will it hurt any hostage deal. With Israel’s defense forces in the Phladelphi Corridor again, it will demilitarize Gaza and is a critical strategic move for Israel’s long-term security and defense. Netanyahu must stick to this position, which will strengthen Israel’s goals for winning the current war – and the protect against future terrorism infiltrating the country.