Hamas Calls Withdrawal Of Israeli Troops From The Netrazim Corridor A Failure Of Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood in front of the Gaza map while explaining the interests of controlling the Philadelphi Corridor in the south and the Netrazim Corridor in the middle. (Middle East Eye/AFP)

JAKARTA - The Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, called the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza an indication of the failure of Israel's war goals.

"The return of the refugees, the ongoing exchange of prisoners, and the withdrawal from Netzarim all exposed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lies claiming to have won a full victory over our people," Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou said in a statement Sunday.

"Any attempt by the occupation forces to impose military control over Gaza and divide it has failed in the presence of the courage of our people's resistance and determination," he added.

The Hamas spokesman also said US President Donald Trump would fail to achieve his goals in Gaza through real estate and intermediary deals, as Israel has failed through 15 months of hunger, genocide, and systematic destruction.

Earlier on February 4, Trump said Washington would take over Gaza and recast Palestinians elsewhere based on an extraordinary rebuilding plan, which he claims could turn Gaza into a Riviera in the Middle East.

The proposal received widespread criticism from Palestinians, Arab countries, and many other countries around the world, including Canada, France, Germany, and Britain.

"Gaza will remain a free land, defended by its people and resistance fighters, and will remain closed to the invaders and foreign occupations," Qanou said.

As reported, the Israeli army withdrew its troops from the Netzarim Corridor, which separates northern Gaza from the south, on Sunday after more than one year and three months of occupation.

The ceasefire deal came into effect on January 19 in Gaza, halting an Israeli war that has killed nearly 48,200 Palestinians, most of whom were women and children, as well as melting the Palestinian enclave.