Egypt rejects Israeli proposal for increased oversight on borders

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Jan 2024 21:11
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In recent talks, "Israel" approached Egypt with a request to secure the Philadelphi Corridor, but Egypt rejected the request.

Birds fly over Rafah crossing, Egypt, Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

A report by Reuters on Tuesday said that Egypt turned down a proposal from "Israel seeking greater oversight over the buffer zone on the border with Gaza. Three Egyptian security sources disclosed that Egypt is prioritizing efforts to broker a ceasefire before delving into post-war arrangements.

The 13km (8 mile) border between Egypt and Gaza represents the only border of the Palestinian coastal enclave not directly controlled by "Israel." Egypt, along with Qatar, has been actively engaged in leading talks to facilitate a new ceasefire in Gaza and negotiating a deal for the release of Israeli captives.

During these discussions, "Israel" approached Egypt with a request to secure the Philadelphi Corridor. However, Egyptian sources revealed that Egypt rejected the proposal during the ceasefire talks. The Israeli official, speaking anonymously, mentioned that joint monitoring of the Philadelphi Corridor with Egypt was among the issues discussed.

Despite this, there seems to be a discrepancy in responses, as an Egyptian state-linked source dismissed recent reports of planned cooperation between Egypt and "Israel" on the corridor as false. The head of Egypt's State Information Service has not provided any comment on the matter.

The Egyptian sources clarified that Israeli officials did not bring up the issue of controlling the corridor during the current ceasefire talks. Instead, they proposed participating in monitoring the area, including sharing the usage of new monitoring technology procured by "Israel." Egypt rejected this proposal but has strengthened physical barriers on its side of the border.

Egypt is currently prioritizing the establishment of a new ceasefire agreement as the foundation for discussions regarding post-war Gaza, including potential arrangements for securing the Philadelphi Corridor.

Priorities for Gaza amid tensions

On Tuesday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed the immediate priorities for Gaza, emphasizing the importance of a ceasefire, the delivery of aid, and preventing the displacement of Gazans into Egypt.

"Israel" had controlled the Philadelphi Corridor until 2005 when it concluded its occupation of the Gaza Strip. However, late last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed the intention to re-assert control over the corridor, which is alleged to include underground tunnels operated by the resistance.

Ashraf Abu el-Houl, managing editor of the Egyptian state-owned paper Al-Ahram and a specialist on Palestinian issues, told Reuters: "Egypt made clear it closed all tunnels on its side of the border, but Israel is still unable to absorb or understand that what they saw in Gaza could be all locally-manufactured or developed."

El-Houl suggested that "Israel" could effectively control the border buffer zone from a distance through its firepower, eliminating the need for direct control.

Recent bombardments near the border area, including at the Rafah Crossing, a critical point for bringing humanitarian aid into Gaza from Egypt and evacuating Palestinians requiring urgent medical treatment, have added to the escalating tensions in the region.