Mossad chief David Barnea. (Credit: AFP)
Mossad chief David Barnea said Israel’s military should withdraw from the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors as part of a captive-release deal, saying its presence there is “not operationally necessary.”
According to Israel Hayom, Barnea made the comments in a private meeting with captives’ relatives on Friday, updating them on the status of the ceasefire negotiations to release their loved ones.
A dispute over the Netzarim and Philadelphi Corridors remains a key sticking point to the deal, he said.
The Netzarim corridor cuts through central Gaza, while the Philadelphi is a strip of land between the south of Rafah and Egypt.
Israeli negotiators have insisted that Palestinians returning to northern Gaza first be vetted at the Netzarim corridor. But Hamas has insisted on Israel’s full withdrawal from the enclave, including Netzarim and Philadelphi.
Netanyahu wants to keep a military presence in the latter, as to avoid according to him, arms traffic for the benefit of Hamas through tunnels passing below the corridor.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called on Israel's security cabinet must reverse its decision Thursday to maintain an Israeli military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor between southern Gaza and Egypt. Gallant was the only person to vote against the decision Thursday night, Haaretz reported Friday.
"It is too late for the hostages who were killed in cold blood, but those who are still in the hands of Hamas must return home," the defense minister added on X.