Israel and Egypt Negotiating Electronic Surveillance System at Gaza-Egypt Border

Two Egyptian sources and one informed source told Reuters on Friday, July 13, that representatives from Israel and Egypt are negotiating an electronic surveillance system along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The news agency noted that establishing such a system could allow Israel to withdraw its forces from the area if a ceasefire agreement is signed. Reuters pointed out that whether Israeli forces remain at the border has been one of the issues preventing a potential ceasefire agreement, as both the Hamas militant group and Egypt, the mediator of the negotiations, oppose the presence of Israeli forces in that area. According to the report, Israel is concerned that if its forces withdraw from this border area known as the 'Philadelphi Corridor,' Hamas could smuggle weapons and supplies from Egypt to Gaza through tunnels, allowing it to rearm and threaten Israel. Reuters wrote that a surveillance system, if the parties negotiate the details and reach an agreement, could pave the way for a ceasefire agreement.