PM Netanyahu Criticism, Former Israeli Defense Minister Said No Need To Place Troops In Philadelphia Corridor

Benny Gantz. (Wikimedia Commons/IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

JAKARTA - Former Israeli Defense Minister Beny Gantz said Israel did not need to place troops on the southern border region of Gaza for security reasons, and it should not be used as an excuse to prevent a deal to bring back the remaining hostages from the Gaza Strip.

The former General of the Israeli Chief of Staff Defense Forces said Iran, not the so-called Philadelphia corridor on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt, was Israel's main existential threat.

In a press conference in response to Monday's comments by Netanyahu, who adhered to his belief Israel needed troops in Philadelphia, Gantz said while the corridor was essential to prevent Hamas and other Palestinian militants from smuggling weapons into Gaza, the army would be a "soft target" and would not stop the tunnel.

He also denied Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement that if Israel withdrew from Philadelphia, international pressure would make it difficult for them to return.

"We will be able to return to Philadelphia if and when we are asked," Gantz, who also called for a new general election, told The Times of Israel September 4.

"If Netanyahu doesn't understand after October 7 everything has changed and if he isn't strong enough to withstand international pressure to return to Philadelphia, let him put the lock and go home."

Philadelphia Corridor is known to be the main critical point in efforts to secure an agreement to stop fighting in Gaza and repatriate Israeli hostages detained by Hamas. About 101 hostages are still being held in Gaza.

PM Netanyahu's stance on negotiations, which has lasted for weeks while showing no signs of a breakthrough, has frustrated allies, including the United States, widening rifts with his own defense minister, Yoav Gallant.

"The story is not in Philadelphia but a lack of truly strategic decision-making," Gantz said.

He added that there were plans to block Hamas underground tunnels with barriers, but PM Netanyahu did not promote them politically.

Thousands of Israelis rallied for three consecutive days in Tel Aviv, in support of the deal to bring the hostages back.

"We need to make a deal - either in stages or in one stage," Gantz said, adding that Israel needed to launch an attack on Hezbollah in southern Lebanon to stop rocket fire every day, allowing residents displaced in the north to return home.

In response to Gantz, PM Netanyahu said in a statement that since Gantz and his party left government, Israel has removed the main leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah and seized Philadelphia corridors, "the path of life Hamas uses to arm themselves".

"Anyone who doesn't contribute to the victory and return of the hostages should not interfere," Prime Minister Netanyahu quipped.