Egyptian official denies involvement in Israeli Philadelphi Axis Plots

By Al Mayadeen English
8 Jan 2024 17:15
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"Israel's" PM has called for the occupation of the route which lies within the Gaza Strip and separates the Palestinian territory from Egypt.

An illustration showing the "Philadelphi Route" which extends from the southeastern Karam Abu Salem crossing to the Mediterranean Sea at the Gaza Strip's shore. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab ElHajj)

An Egyptian official has denied any cooperation between Egypt and the Israeli occupation in relation to the "Philadelphi Axis", confirming to Al-Qahera that media reports discussing such cooperation are unfounded.

The "Philadelphi Axis" is a region that extends from the Israeli-controlled Karam Abu Salem crossing, linking the Gaza Strip and occupied territories, to the southernmost point on the Gaza Strip's coast.

Also known as the "Philadelphi Route", the 14 km narrow strip of land separated Palestine from Egypt and was established as a buffer zone between "Israel" and Egypt in a 1979 treaty. Before the Strip was liberated in 2005, the Axis was under the control of Israeli occupation forces.

Initially, the Israeli occupation had intended to utilize its presence in the region as a method to prevent the transfer of materials and goods into the Gaza Strip, however, intricate tunnel systems eventually deemed it an ineffective method. As the occupation withdrew from the Gaza Strip, it concluded the "Philadelphi Accord" with Egypt, in which 750 Egyptian troops were allowed to be positioned alongside the border, to "maintain security."

Anti-tunnel wall

Currently, the Israeli political command, headed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is attempting to occupy the "Philadelphi Axis" and deploy forces in the area. Netanyahu called for another axis of invasion to be opened up in the Gaza Strip, seeking to bolster the occupation's geographical control of the region. This would aid Israeli plots to disarm the Palestinian Resistance.

Essentially, Israeli authorities seek to completely isolate the Gaza Strip from the rest of the world, by deploying forces in the only terrain linking the Palestinian territory to another country. Adding to a strict siege that has cut off all goods from the Gaza Strip since October 7, excluding a measly amount of aid entering through the Rafah border crossing, the occupation's top officials want to cut off any supplies from entering the Strip.

The Israeli Ynet news website has previously revealed that Israeli Security Minister Yoav Galant had proposed a plan to the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, aimed at constructing a US-funded underground wall throughout the Axis, which would completely isolate the Gaza Strip.

According to the Israeli Army Radio, such a plan would be implemented after the Israeli occupation concludes what has come to be known as "high-intensity operations".

Furthermore, the Israeli outlet, i24News, said that "Israel fears the presence of tunnels in the Palestinian area east Rafah, which is considered an extension of the Philadelphi Route."