From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Lebanese report: Israel would withdraw from Philadelphi Corridor, but take action if needed on arms smuggling
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An Israeli proposal would see Israeli security forces monitoring the so-called Philadelphi Corridor after a military withdrawal, on the condition that they could take action if there is evidence of arms smuggling from Egypt across the border into Gaza, a Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper in Lebanon reports.
The proposal, made as part of discussions for a potential hostage-truce deal, is reported by Al Akhbar and cited by Hebrew-language media.
The report says the military withdrawal would take place on an “agreed-upon schedule.”
The Philadelphi Corridor runs for a total of 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) all along the Gaza-Egypt border.
Yesterday it was reported that Egypt has sent a message to Israel that if an agreement for a hostage deal and ceasefire is reached, Cairo will work with the United States to help build a high-tech underground barrier to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza.
Troops have discovered at least 25 cross-border smuggling tunnels between Egypt and Gaza. The existence of some of the tunnels was previously known to the IDF, and others were discovered for the first time when troops entered the border area.
The Times of Israel Community.