Egypt Daily News – Egypt has rejected the recent comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding arms smuggling into the Gaza Strip from the Egyptian side.
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Netanyahu’s attempts to frame Egypt’s involvement in the conflict as a distraction for the Israeli public, arguing that such assertions undermine ongoing mediation efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
Cairo condemned the remarks, that are not helpfull in the region and hold the Israeli government accountable. Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to its role in pursuing a peace process that aims to stabilize regional security and benefit all peoples in the area.
Netanyahu had made his comments during a recent speech in which he emphasized the necessity of maintaining Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor, to stop weapon smuggling.
He stated that he would not concede to pressure regarding this border security issue amidst ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
Israeli military advisors have interpreted Netanyahu’s statements as reflective of his own political and economic vulnerabilities, given the substantial financial toll of the conflict which has reportedly reached around 76 billion dollars.
The Philadelphi Corridor has become a central talking point in the stalled negotiations concerning a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas and a proposed ceasefire in Gaza.
Despite months of negotiation, an agreement on U.S. President Joe Biden’s proposal from May for a ceasefire and prisoner swap has yet to materialize, particularly as Netanyahu insists on continuing a military presence in various locations in Gaza.
