From the Liveblog of
Friday, July 12, 2024
Officials: Despite PM’s denial, negotiators have discussed pullout from Gaza-Egypt border
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Despite the denial issued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, two officials involved in the hostage talks tell The Times of Israel that Israeli negotiators have in fact been discussing the possibility of an IDF withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt as part of a potential ceasefire deal.
The withdrawal would be part of an arrangement that would see Egypt, with the help of the US and other international partners, bolster the border in order to ensure that Hamas cannot smuggle weapons into Gaza from Sinai, the officials say.
The arrangement would include the construction of an underground wall along the corridor to neutralize the tunnel threat, the officials add.
