Israeli control over 'Philadelphi Axis' threatens relations: Egypt
3 Min Read
The Egyptian administration confirms that it does not accept potential Israeli control over the 'Philadelphi Axis'.
-
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)
The head of the Egyptian Information Service, Diaa Rashwan, confirmed on Monday, that the Israeli endeavor to control the "Philadelphi Axis" in the Gaza Strip along the border with Egypt is expected to threaten Egyptian-Israeli relations.
In a statement on the State Information Service (SIS) website, Rashwan said that "the recent period has seen numerous statements from Israeli officials, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, making claims and false accusations regarding the alleged smuggling operations of weapons, explosives, ammunition, and other components into the Gaza Strip from Egyptian territory.
He further emphasized the Israeli persistence in promoting these falsehoods is an effort to justify its intent to seize control of the "Philadelphi Axis" or the Salah al-Din Corridor within the Gaza Strip along the border with Egypt. "This action constitutes a breach of the security agreements and protocols previously signed between him and Egypt."
Rashwan stressed that "It must be strictly emphasized that any Israeli move in this direction will seriously threaten Egyptian-Israeli relations."
He stressed that Egypt could defend its interests and sovereignty over its land and borders, and would not mortgage it in the hands of a group of "extremist Israeli leaders who seek to drag the region into a state of conflict and instability."
Earlier this month, an Egyptian official denied any cooperation between Egypt and the Israeli occupation concerning 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."
