Senior Israeli official: Hamas ‘folded’ on demands over Philadelphi Corridor; others slam ‘spin’ by PM’s associates

A senior Israeli official familiar with the ceasefire talks says that Hamas “folded” on its demands over the Philadelphi Corridor but that there are still details to be finalized.

“Due to the insistence of Prime Minister Netanyahu, Hamas folded on the issue of the Philadelphi Corridor,” the strip along the border of Egypt and Gaza where Israel has insisted on maintaining a presence during the ceasefire implementation, the official says.

“However the framework has not been completely finalized and there are still a number of details that have not been finalized,” the official adds in a message sent to reporters just a few minutes after US President-elect Donald Trump said that the deal was reached.

An Israeli official outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says that the claim that Hamas issued last-minute demands regarding the Philadelphi Corridor is “spin” from the Israeli premier’s associates.

Two Arab officials echo the sentiment, saying the statement from a “senior Israeli official” claiming as much was issued after the sides had already reached an agreement.