The Trader Harbor
  • Business
  • Politics
  • World News
  • Stocks
  • Business
  • Politics
  • World News
  • Stocks

The Trader Harbor

Politics

Netanyahu says security in Gaza is critical to stop Hamas smuggling hostages into Iran: ‘lost forever’

by admin September 7, 2024
September 7, 2024
Netanyahu says security in Gaza is critical to stop Hamas smuggling hostages into Iran: ‘lost forever’

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making clear that his forces will not agree to Hamas’ demands to vacate Gaza, for two crucial reasons – overall national security and ensuring the safe return of the remaining hostages still in Hamas captivity. 

Concerns continue to mount that Hamas could look to smuggle some of the remaining 97 Israeli hostages still in captivity into the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, which has long been deemed a haven for Islamic militant groups, and where they could then be transported to Yemen or Iran.

According to Netanyahu, the best way to prevent these Hamas hostage smuggling efforts is through maintaining the contested Philadelphi Route – a security corridor that runs between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.

‘Hol[d] the Philadelphi corridor, because that possesses Hamas, that prevents them from rearming,’ Netanhyu told Fox and Friends’ Brian Kilmeade. ‘It prevents Gaza from becoming this Iranian terror enclave again, which can threaten our existence. 

‘But it’s also the way to prevent them from smuggling hostages . . . into Egypt, into the Sinai, where they could disappear,’ he added. ‘Then they’ll end up in Iran or in Yemen, and they’re lost forever.’

The prime minster’s comments echoed a report by The Jewish Chronicle that said Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar was hashing out a secret plan to smuggle himself, other Hamas leadership and some of the remaining Israeli hostages out of Gaza through the Philadelphi corridor before heading to Iran.

The chronicle cited Israeli intelligence sources, though other Israeli news outlets refuted the reporting Thursday, and Fox News Digital could not independently verify the intelligence.

In his remarks to Fox News, Netanyahu did not expand on the leverage Hamas could gain by smuggling the hostages out of Gaza, but securing the hostages’ release has increasingly taken center stage in the ceasefire negotiations.

Following the assassination of six Israeli hostages who had been held prisoner by Hamas since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, and who were found in the tunnels mined by the terrorist organization last month, Netanyahu has increased his opposition to U.S. efforts to push through a cease-fire agreement. 

Three of the hostages killed were reportedly supposed to be part of an exchange under a cease-fire deal proposed in July, but which never came to fruition. 

‘We’re doing everything we can to get the remainder [out],’ Netanhyu said. ‘But Hamas consistently refuses to make a deal.’

Details of the ceasefire agreement put forward by the U.S., Qatar and Egypt have remained closely guarded for months, and reporting for weeks has suggested that the most recent deal signed on by Israel, but rebuffed by Hamas, was down to Jerusalem’s refusal to vacate the Philadelphi Route. 

‘It’s just a direct falsehood,’ he said, noting that it is about more than just holding onto the corridor.

‘What we have to do is to make sure that we do two things,’ Netanyahu said. ‘One, get the hostages out. And second, keep the red lines that are necessary for Israel’s security and survival. 

‘I think both of them go through holding the Philadelphi corridor,’ he added. 

Despite Netanyahu’s strong opposition to ceding any hold of the strategic route and Hamas’ apparent refusal to hand over more hostages until Israel stops its operations in Gaza, Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said that negotiations were making significant headway. 

‘I think based on what I’ve seen, 90 percent is agreed, but there are a few critical issues that remain where we need to be able to get agreement,’ he told reporters. ‘Much of this has been discussed in recent days, including the Philadelphi corridor, including some of the exact specifics of how hostages and prisoners are exchanged.  

‘So that remains, but pretty much everything else is there,’ he added. 

Blinken said he expects in the ‘coming days’ that an updated deal will be shared by Egypt and Qatar with Hamas and by the U.S. with Israel in an attempt to shore up a cease-fire agreement. 

‘Then it will be time really for the parties to decide yes or no, and then we’ll see,’ he added. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Reporter’s Notebook: Why foreign policy might matter
next post
House tees up ‘China Week’ with floor votes aimed at combatting CCP espionage and economic advances

Related Posts

‘There are 50 swamps’: State Freedom Caucus Network...

August 21, 2025

Dems ‘coming to terms’ that Biden ‘not in...

July 3, 2024

DAVID MARCUS: Sorry Dems, literally nobody believes married...

April 13, 2025

Dems disagree on whether party has antisemitism problem

April 28, 2024

Trump issues warning to Maduro as Venezuelan leader...

January 11, 2025

Trump camp confident based on early voting, while...

November 4, 2024

SCOOP: House Republicans target ‘vulnerable’ Democrats for voting...

June 23, 2025

‘Gut check time’: Dissent among Senate GOP ranks...

July 10, 2025

Trump trial: Jury selection to resume after possible...

April 16, 2024

State Department unveils patriotic ‘America First’ rebrand as...

July 2, 2025

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Latest

    • Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns, claiming parent company Unilever ‘silenced’ its campaigning

      October 10, 2025
    • The Real Drivers of This Market: AI, Semis & Robotics

      October 10, 2025
    • S&P 500 Breaking Out Again: What This Means for Your Portfolio

      October 10, 2025
    • Could Trump win the Nobel Peace Prize after Israel-Hamas deal?

      October 10, 2025
    • RFK Jr shocked over pregnant moms protesting Trump with Tylenol: ‘Pathological’

      October 10, 2025
    • Top insurance CEO in the hot seat after scathing ad campaign exposes China ties

      October 10, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (1,416)
    • Politics (4,700)
    • Stocks (1,699)
    • Uncategorized (45)
    • World News (1,409)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: TheTraderHarbor, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 thetraderharbor.com | All Rights Reserved