Saudi Arabia Denounces Israeli Claims on Gaza-Egypt Border

Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned recent statements made by Israeli officials regarding the Gaza-Egyptian border, reaffirming its solidarity with Egypt on the issue. In a statement issued late on Tuesday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced Israel’s ambitions concerning the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic area along the southern Gaza Strip bordering Egypt.

The Kingdom expressed deep concern over what it described as “absurd attempts to justify the continuous Israeli violations of international laws and norms.” The Philadelphi Corridor has become a focal point of contention, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserting the need for Israeli troops to maintain control over the area for the foreseeable future.

“The Philadelphi Corridor—or to put it more correctly, the southern closing point of Gaza—must be in our hands. It must be shut. Any other arrangement would not ensure the demilitarization that we seek,” Netanyahu stated.

Egypt has firmly rejected any Israeli presence along the corridor, a stance that has become a significant obstacle in ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal in a conflict now entering its eleventh month.

“The Kingdom warns of these provocative statements and their consequences in undermining the mediation efforts,” the Saudi foreign ministry’s statement added, highlighting the potential repercussions of such rhetoric on international diplomatic efforts.

Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining a troop presence in the corridor has drawn criticism from some of Israel’s allies, who argue that the issue should not be used as a pretext to hinder a resolution to the conflict. When asked by reporters if the Israeli premier was doing enough to secure a hostage deal, U.S. President Joe Biden responded bluntly: “No.”

Benny Gantz, a former army general who served in Netanyahu’s war cabinet before resigning in June, also criticized the prime minister’s stance on the Philadelphi Corridor. Gantz emphasized the need for strategic decisions rather than fixating on the corridor. “The story is not Philadelphi but the lack of making truly strategic decisions,” he said.

As tensions over the corridor continue to escalate, the Saudi statement underscores the growing international concern over Israel’s actions and their potential impact on the region’s stability.