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The Israeli security policy cabinet voted to keep the army in the Gaza-Egypt border zone
The Israeli security policy cabinet voted against Defense Minister Joáv Galant that the Israeli army should continue to be present on the so-called Philadelphia axis, located on the border of the Palestinian-populated Gaza Strip and Egypt.
Eight ministers, including the prime minister, voted yes, national security minister Itamár Bengvír abstained, and the defense minister opposed the decision. The map of the location of the forces remaining on the axis, in the border strip, was prepared by the army, and the United States included it in the hostage settlement draft aimed at the return of the abducted Israelis, which was rejected by the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas.
Galant and the representatives of the defense organizations told the government meeting that from a security point of view there is no need for the Israeli army to remain in the area of the Philadelphia strip, according to them it is possible to respond to the security challenges without it, and it is possible to withdraw the forces as part of the hostage deal.
The ministers who voted in favor of remaining believed at the meeting that “this decision brings the agreement closer”, although it is one of the most controversial Israeli demands against Hamas and Egypt, which hinders the agreement. According to the ministers, the decision makes it clear to Hamas that it has to compromise on this issue, “just as it entered into the agreement regarding its demand to end the war”.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in the debate that the “catastrophe” of October 7 last year – the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas militants on Israeli territory – was caused by the fact that the axis was not in Israel’s hands. According to him, a huge amount of weapons were transferred to the terrorist organizations in Gaza at this place. He announced that this situation “will not happen again” and that this time Israel is determined to keep this section of the border in its hands.
A week ago it was announced that the Prime Minister had agreed to withdraw the army several hundred yards at the Philadelphia Axis; but this concession did not lead to a breakthrough in the hostage negotiations.
2024-08-30 06:51:32