Mediators said pressuring Israel to withdraw from Gaza-Egypt border in potential deal

The US and Egypt, who are mediating renewed talks for a hostage and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, are pressuring Israel to agree to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border, according to reports by the Kan public broadcaster and Saudi outlet Al Arabiya.

Al Arabiya also reports that the proposal being discussed in clandestine talks would have the Palestinian Authority manage the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt, and that Hamas has handed Egypt a list of hostages it is holding.

Israel has repeatedly said over the past months that it will not agree to leave the Philadelphi Corridor or to let the PA have any role in postwar Gaza.

Accordingly, Kan cites Israeli sources saying it is too early for optimism since a deal still depends on the sides showing more flexibility.

It cites an Egyptian source saying many problems remain, including that Israel is expressing dissatisfaction with the progress in the talks, especially “hawkish” elements in the Israeli government.

The same source says the outline under discussion isn’t very different from previous proposals that were discussed and ultimately rejected in the past.

This is despite renewed reports and statements about progress in the talks and hopes that the fall of the Assad regime in Syria will further drive the isolated Hamas to compromise on its long-held hardline demands.

Meanwhile, Channel 12 news reports that the government’s point man on the hostages, Gal Hirsch, has told hostage families recently that Israel won’t leave Gaza before the last hostage returns.