ALBAWABA - Israeli authorities told Qatari mediators that they would fully withdraw from the Philadelphi Route in Gaza during the second round of the ceasefire discussions, "The Times of Israel."
Mossad Chief David Barnea confirmed the news in Doha before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's press conference this week. The promise was made during Israeli-Qatari talks.
According to "Haaretz," an American official said Barnea told mediators about Israel's intention to withdraw from the Philadelphi Route before Netanyahu's public rejection. The person said, "We care more about the exchange arrangement than Netanyahu and Sinwar. We are pressing to finish it by any means," adding, "If we give up now, no one will handle this matter again, leaving us with no other alternatives."
Netanyahu remains strong on the Philadelphi Route notwithstanding these pledges. Netanyahu apologized for not returning six hostages recovered in a southern Gaza tunnel in a televised broadcast. He blamed Hamas for their murders and the disruption of discussions with additional demands.
Netanyahu said the war's goals "depends on controlling this route." There was no international agreement allowing Israeli soldiers to stay on the Philadelphi Route. He said, "They ask us to leave the Philadelphi Route for 42 days, but if we do, we won’t return for another 42 years," hinting that the military presence has pushed Hamas to negotiate.
The Israeli Prime Minister further said that Hamas executed the six detainees and would be punished. He promised to persistently seek them return.
According to Israeli and American media, Barnea has led Israeli delegations in recent ceasefire discussions with Qatar and Egypt mediators to free hostages. U.S. pressure may have facilitated the arrangement.
Netanyahu is under fire in Israel for stalling the prisoner swap arrangement to return Gazan prisoners. Knesset member Avichai Bouvron said, "This affects our overall security." He noted a "crisis of trust" between Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
