Israel refuses to withdraw from Gaza corridor, raising tensions with Hamas and Egypt

The move could threaten the fragile ceasefire as negotiations for a second phase of hostage exchanges remain uncertain.

Israel has announced it will not withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor, a strategic area along the Gaza-Egypt border, despite the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

The decision, confirmed by an Israeli official on Thursday, risks escalating tensions with Hamas and key mediator Egypt as negotiations for the next phase of the truce remain in limbo.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz cited concerns over weapons smuggling and the presence of tunnels, contradicting Egypt’s assertion that it had already destroyed such infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, warning that continued military presence in the corridor could jeopardize future hostage negotiations.

This comes just after Hamas released the remains of four Israeli hostages in exchange for over 600 Palestinian prisoners—the final exchange planned under the ceasefire’s initial six-week phase.

With the truce set to expire this weekend, uncertainty looms over whether talks for a second phase will proceed.

The situation is further complicated by the upcoming visit of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, who is expected to push for continued negotiations.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains committed to two key objectives: bringing home all remaining hostages and dismantling Hamas’ military and governing control in Gaza.

As the ceasefire deadline approaches, the question remains—will diplomacy prevail, or is renewed conflict inevitable?

Jonathan Tobin the editor-in-chief of Jewish News Syndicate joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.