The American Wall Street Journal reported yesterday, Saturday, that Israel informed Egypt of its plan to carry out a military operation to control the Gaza Strip border with Egypt, in reference to the Philadelphia axis.

The American newspaper published its news under the title, “Israel is planning a risky mission to control the last border in Gaza that it does not control.”

It added that the military operation planned by Israel will be “militarily complex” due to the alignment of the border with Egypt and the region’s hosting of more than a million displaced Palestinians.

The newspaper attributed its news to unnamed Israeli and Egyptian officials, noting that “Israeli officials informed Egypt that they are planning a military operation on the border from the Gaza side.”

According to the news, Egypt has assured Israel that it will strengthen the barriers on its border with Gaza, and will install more surveillance towers and cameras, but it will not share the recordings with the Israeli side.

Cairo did not give Tel Aviv final approval for the alleged operation, according to the newspaper’s report.

A few days ago, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that Egypt rejected a request for Israel to secure the Philadelphia border area between it and the Gaza Strip.

According to the Israeli newspaper, the Coordinator of Israeli government operations in the Palestinian territories, Major General Ghassan Alyan, visited Cairo last Tuesday, heading a security delegation.

The newspaper explained that the purpose of the visit was to discuss security arrangements in the Philadelphia axis area.

In a press conference on Saturday evening, Netanyahu touched on the Philadelphia axis between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, saying, “Without controlling the Philadelphia axis in Gaza, we cannot eliminate the (Islamic Resistance) movement Hamas, and we are examining all options regarding it.”

On the other hand, Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid told a local satellite channel that Egypt controls its borders and has full control over them. These issues are subject to security and legal agreements, and any talk in this regard is subject to scrutiny and is responded to with declared positions, without further clarifications.

In late December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his desire to control the Philadelphia border axis between Gaza and Egypt.

Netanyahu stated at the time that his country wanted to ensure that Gaza did not pose a threat to it, and added that the Philadelphia axis must be in Israeli hands and control, and that Israel would not accept any other option.

In 2007, the Hamas movement took control of the Gaza Strip, and the Philadelphia axis came under its control. Israel imposed a stifling siege on the Strip, which forced the Palestinians to cross the border strip towards Egypt to obtain food, drink and basic materials for their lives. As a result, the Egyptian forces imposed security in Philadelphia and then retreated to their places. 

The Philadelphia axis area is no longer devoid of Palestinian residents as it was during the period of the Israeli presence in that region. Palestinian homes extended very close to the border fence, and at some points they are completely adjacent to it, with the exception of the areas east of the Rafah crossing and the area near the seashore.

Source: American press