Egypt has warned Israel that any attempt to seize security control of the strip of land that separates Gaza and Egypt will result in a “serious threat” to relations between the neighboring countries. The Philadelphi corridor is a 14-kilometer (nine-mile) -long slither of land that separates Egypt from Gaza.
Quick Read
- Egypt’s Warning to Israel: Egypt warns Israel against seizing control of the Philadelphi corridor, citing threats to bilateral relations.
- Philadelphi Corridor’s Significance: A 14-kilometer strip separating Egypt from Gaza.
- Israeli Intentions for Security Control: Israel considers controlling the corridor to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza.
- Egypt’s Concerns: Fear of a potential influx of Palestinians into Egypt due to Israeli military operations.
- Security of Egypt-Gaza Border: Egypt’s assertion that the border is secure and dismissal of Israeli claims of weapon smuggling.
- Strained Israel-Egypt Relations: The war in Gaza tests the diplomatic ties between the two countries.
- Regulated Troop Deployments: Troop presence along the Egypt-Gaza border is governed by bilateral agreements.
- Egypt’s Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Egypt’s historical role in brokering cease-fires and maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel since 1980.
- Accusations of Israeli Plot: Egypt accuses Israel of undermining Palestinian statehood demands, which Israel denies.
The Associated Press has the story:
Egypt warns Israel not to seize control of land that separates them
Newslooks- CAIRO — (AP)
Egypt has warned Israel that any attempt to seize security control of the strip of land that separates Gaza and Egypt will result in a “serious threat” to relations between the neighboring countries.
The Philadelphi corridor is a 14-kilometer (nine-mile) -long slither of land that separates Egypt from Gaza.
“It must be strictly emphasized that any Israeli move in this direction will lead to a serious threat to Egyptian-Israeli relations,” Diaa Rashwan, head of Egypt’s State Information Service, said in an online statement Monday.
Israeli leaders have talked about taking control of the corridor to prevent possible weapons smuggling into Gaza.
Egypt fears that a military operation on the border could push large numbers of Palestinians into its territory.
Rashwan said Gaza’s western border was secure and that Israeli claims that weapons were being smuggled from Egypt into Gaza were false. The war has greatly tested relations between Israel and Egypt.
Troop deployments on either side of the Egypt-Gaza border are regulated in bilateral agreements between Israel and Egypt.
The two countries have maintained diplomatic ties since 1980, with Egypt having brokered a number of cease-fire deals during recent conflicts in Gaza.
Throughout the current war, Egypt has accused Israel of plotting to nullify Palestinian demands for statehood by driving Palestinians from Gaza into Egypt. Israel denies this is part of its plan.
