Netanyahu: 'Axis of Evil' Needs Philadelphi Corridor, Therefore Israel Must Be There

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls to withdraw the condition of maintaining Israeli forces in the border area of southern Gaza in exchange for a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. On Monday, September 3, he stated that Israel's presence at the Gaza-Egypt border is vital, which Hamas also considers a critical route. The issue of the 'Philadelphi Corridor,' located at the southern edge of the Gaza Strip and bordering Egypt, has become a significant deadlock in reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and in retrieving Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Hamas has denied any Israeli presence there, but Netanyahu insists that Israel will not abandon this corridor. Israeli forces have discovered dozens of underground tunnels in that area, which Israeli officials claim are used for smuggling weapons and ammunition into Gaza. In his press conference on Monday in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said, 'The axis of evil needs the Philadelphi Corridor, and that is why we must control the Philadelphi Corridor.' He added, 'Hamas insists that we should not be there, and that is why I insist that we must be there.' He emphasized that if Israel were to leave the Philadelphi Corridor, international pressure would make it difficult for Israel to return. According to the Times of Israel, he also stated that to succeed in the 'existential war' against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its axis of evil, there must be 'unity among us.' These statements come as streets in Israel were filled with protesters on Sunday and Monday, criticizing their government's failure to reach an agreement to save the lives of Israeli hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas. The protests began following news of the deaths of six Israeli hostages in Gaza. Protesters are calling for an agreement that would return the remaining hostages held by the Iran-backed Hamas to Israel. U.S. President Joe Biden stated on Monday to reporters at the White House that Netanyahu is not taking sufficient actions to guarantee and implement an agreement and mentioned preparations for a proposal to free the hostages held by Hamas. Biden's criticism of Netanyahu included news of a 'new draft agreement' between Israel and Hamas. American lawmakers reacted to the deaths of Israeli hostages, with Lindsey Graham stating that the Iranian government should be held accountable. There were widespread demonstrations in the streets of Israel in response to the deaths of six more hostages from Hamas. John Kirby emphasized America's readiness to defend Israel against a potential attack from the Islamic Republic.