Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative Movement, Mustafa Barghouti, said that the decision of the Israeli cabinet to remain in the Philadelphi corridor in the southern Gaza Strip means "rejecting the ceasefire."

Barghouti explained in a statement that "the cabinet's decision to remain in the Philadelphi corridor means refusing to reach a ceasefire agreement and withdraw from the Gaza Strip."


Earlier on Friday, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said: "The cabinet approved, in its meeting on Thursday evening, the map that specifies the Israeli army's presence along the Philadelphi corridor, as part of a possible exchange deal" with Hamas.

The authority noted that "8 ministers supported the decision, while Defense Minister Yoav Galant opposed it, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir abstained from voting."

Barghouti pointed out that this decision "confirms the true intentions of Netanyahu (the Israeli Prime Minister) and his fascist government to maintain the complete occupation of the Gaza Strip and continue the war of genocide, which was also confirmed by the appointment of Elad Goren as military governor of the Gaza Strip."


He said, "Events will prove that the Israeli rulers have committed the most serious strategic mistake in their lives with their decision, as Gaza will never be subject to permanent occupation."

The Authority said that ministers who participated in the session "stressed that this helps in reaching a deal, because it makes it clear to Hamas that it must make concessions on the axis."

The authority quoted Netanyahu as telling the ministers in the session that "the October 7 (2023) disaster was the result of the Philadelphi Road not being under Israeli control."
In contrast, the Authority indicated that "the negotiating team believes that insisting on continuing the presence on the Egyptian border may prevent reaching an agreement with Hamas."
For months, Qatar and Egypt have been mediating indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, while the United States supports these efforts through contacts and meetings with Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials.
Israel insists on maintaining its military control over the Philadelphi and Netzarim axes, while Hamas insists on the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip, as part of any agreement to stop the war and exchange prisoners.