What It’s About

An Israeli delegation is currently in Cairo to negotiate on a crucial hostage deal. Concurrently, the Israeli security cabinet is convening in Tel Aviv, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Thani is scheduled to travel to Iran next week.

Why It Matters

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s firm stance on maintaining a lasting presence of the IDF in the Philadelphi Corridor has become a significant point of debate. His position emphasizes the importance of security accessibility between Egypt and Gaza, which he argues is non-negotiable.

Philadelphi Corridor: A Linchpin in Talks

The Philadelphi Corridor is seen as a critical buffer zone. Any successful negotiation that secures the return of the remaining 109 hostages would require Egypt’s agreement to the continuation of Israeli presence in this vital area.

Role of Egypt and Qatar in Mediations

Egypt and Qatar have been playing key roles as mediators in these sensitive discussions. Qatari Prime Minister Al-Thani, who was also present at the Doha talks last week, remains an influential force in the negotiations.

Netanyahu’s Firm Position

An Israeli official confirmed, “Netanyahu has not changed his position on the need for Israeli control and presence in the Philadelphi Corridor.”

Pressure from Domestic and International Arenas

Critics, including former IDF Chief-of-Staff Gadi Eisenkot, suggest that Netanyahu should remain flexible to focus on the immediate safety of the hostages while potentially considering long-term solutions later.

Urgency Highlighted by the United States

In a late-night call on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden stressed the urgency of striking a hostage and ceasefire deal to Netanyahu. The US believes such an agreement would deter potential retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah, preventing an escalation into a regional conflict.

This story was first published on jpost.com.