ALBAWABA - Orit Strook, the settlement minister, has threatened to collapse Netanyahu's cabinet if the military leaves Netzarim and Philadelphi. Netanyahu and his negotiating team have also clashed over the Gaza resistance pact, according to media sources.
Israeli publication Maariv quoted Strook as stating, "If the Israeli army withdraws from the Netzarim and Philadelphi routes, we will dissolve the government," underlining that Netanyahu knows this.
Strook made these remarks while visiting "Kerem Shalom" (Karm Abu Salem) in southern Gaza.
Israeli broadcaster "Kan" reported serious differences between Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli negotiating team on the Philadelphi route military deployment.
Netanyahu refuses to remove the IDF from the Philadelphi corridor, which connects Gaza to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, according to the Israeli authorities.
Netanyahu was told by the negotiating team that Hamas would not accept the arrangement without a Philadelphi route pullout and the repatriation of people to the north.
Netanyahu reiterated his determination to maintain the troops in the Philadelphi route on Monday evening, saying the Security Cabinet (the "Cabinet") will vote.
In an interview with Israeli private channel 14, Netanyahu said "Israel will remain in the Philadelphi route," citing political and security benefits he did not define. Keeping the troops in this path tightens the land embargo and isolates Gaza.
Israeli forces "completed control" of the Philadelphi corridor on May 29, claiming to have "discovered tunnels from Gaza to the Sinai Peninsula."
Both Hamas and Egypt, which is mediating the negotiations, oppose Israel's military presence on the border, which is preventing a truce.
Israel may leave if Egypt takes steps to stop weapons smuggling over the Gaza border, according to confidential talks with the Egyptian administration last week, according to the New York Times.
