'Israel' finalizing withdrawal from key Gaza corridor under deal
3 Min Read
The withdrawal follows the IOF's recent retreat from the northern part of the corridor, which had cut off thousands of displaced Palestinians from their homes.
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Israeli soldiers take up positions next to the Philadelphi Corridor along the border with Egypt, in the Gaza Strip, Sept. 13, 2024 (AP Photo)
The Times of Israel reported on Saturday that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) are in the final stages of withdrawing from the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza, a military zone that had severely restricted Palestinian movement for months. This move comes as part of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, following intense pressure to curb the ongoing aggression against Gaza's population.
Palestinians Regain Access to Northern Gaza
The withdrawal follows the IOF's recent retreat from the northern part of the corridor, which had cut off thousands of displaced Palestinians from their homes. In response, Palestinians have begun returning to northern Gaza using:
- The coastal road, which had been blocked for months by occupation forces.
- The Salah a-Din road, where vehicles are now being allowed to pass for the first time since the invasion.
Despite this movement, the IOF had continued occupying key positions near Salah a-Din road, using these areas as military posts to monitor and restrict Palestinian movement. However, under the ceasefire terms, "Israel" must withdraw fully from the corridor by the 21st day of the truce, maintaining only a small buffer zone along Gaza's eastern border.
Read more: Netzarim Axis consumes 11% of Gaza amid Israeli expansion
Occupation Forces Still Present Along Egypt-Gaza Border
While the retreat from Netzarim is being finalized, the IOF remains stationed in the Philadelphi Corridor, a critical area along Gaza's border with Egypt. As per the ceasefire agreement:
- By the 50th day of the ceasefire, the IOF must completely withdraw from the corridor.
"Israel" has used its control over the Philadelphi Corridor to tighten its blockade on Gaza, restricting vital supplies and justifying its presence under the pretext of monitoring alleged weapons smuggling. However, Palestinian resistance groups have long argued that this occupation serves as another tool for collective punishment rather than security.
Ceasefire Remains Fragile
While the withdrawal is a partial step toward ending "Israel's" military occupation, it remains to be seen whether the IOF will fully comply with the ceasefire agreement. Despite the truce, "Israel" continues targeting areas of Gaza, demonstrating its refusal to commit to peace and its ongoing disregard for Palestinian sovereignty.
On Tuesday, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that 22 martyrs were brought to hospitals across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours. Among them, 20 bodies were recovered, while two others succumbed to their injuries. Additionally, six people were wounded during the same period.
ضابط في الجيش الإسرائيلي أصدر أوامره قبل قليل بالانسحاب من المنطقة المتبقية من محور نتساريم، ما يعني انسحابًا كاملًا من المحور، على أن يكتمل الانسحاب قبل السادسة صباحًا تنفيذاً للاتفاق مع المقاومة الفلسطينية . pic.twitter.com/aONgfX1K3i
— Tamer | تامر (@tamerqdh) February 8, 2025
