Watan-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made serious statements regarding the “Philadelphia Axis,” the border area with the Gaza Strip, stating that it must be under Israeli control, and any other outcome will not be accepted.
Netanyahu, in his speech on Saturday, conveyed through Hebrew media, declared that Israel will continue the war until the end. He emphasized the intention to control the “Philadelphia Axis,” the border between Gaza and Egypt, asserting that Israel is fighting on “all fronts” in a war he mentioned would continue for several more months.
הצטרפו לשידור החי: ראש הממשלה בנימין נתניהו מקיים מסיבת עיתונאים בקריה בתל אביב. https://t.co/qVnNGGxHJn
— ראש ממשלת ישראל (@IsraeliPM_heb) December 30, 2023
Continuing to speak about international pressures faced by Israel as it progresses towards achieving its goals in Gaza, according to his claims.
Netanyahu’s statements regarding the Gaza war and the Philadelphia Axis are among the highlights of his recent speech:
- Our goal is to restore security to both the northern and southern fronts and to return residents to their homes.
- I appreciate the U.S. stance in providing more weapons to Israel and in the Security Council.
- If Hezbollah expands the war, it will receive strikes beyond imagination.
- We will deepen our military operations in the southern and central areas of the Gaza Strip, above and below ground, and we will eliminate Hamas leaders.
- We will deliver strong strikes to Hezbollah and destroy the enemy’s capabilities.
- If Hezbollah expands the confrontation, we will deliver strikes that he and Iran cannot imagine.
- We will continue the war until we achieve victory.
- The Philadelphia Axis must be under our control.
- I did not prevent meetings between the Defense Minister and the heads of Mossad and Shin Bet.
- The Philadelphia Axis, the border area between Gaza and Egypt, should be under Israel’s control.
- Nafatali Bennett revealing strikes attributed to Israel in Iran is a lack of responsibility.
- Hamas must be eliminated before discussing post-war matters, and the Israeli army will disarm Hamas.
- We will achieve our goals, primarily restoring security and instilling a sense of it, so that the residents of the Gaza periphery can return to their homes.
- History will judge what I am doing to ensure Israel’s military and political strength.
Israeli Military Movements in the Philadelphia Axis: Between the Kerem Shalom crossing to Rafah and the Philadelphia Axis, the Israeli army deployed numerous forces to the area and conducted a short exercise. According to the Hebrew site “Walla,” the resistance opened fire on the Israeli forces.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed his “plan for Gaza’s future” after the war on December 10, 2023, expressing his intention to “control the Philadelphia Axis separating Gaza from the Egyptian border.”
After five days, Netanyahu reiterated this in other statements, despite warnings from Egypt against carrying out any operations or military activities in this buffer zone.
إلى وين تقود مصر يا سيادة الريس؟
لم يسبق وان انتهكت سيادة مصر كما يحصل بعهد سيادتك تبهدلت مصر بقضية سد النهضة وانتهكت سيادة مصر بقصف معبر رفح والتحكم فيه من قبل الإحتلال واليوم نتنياهو يهدد للعلن بإحتلال محور فيلادلفيا الخط الحدودي الذي يربط غزة بجارتها الوحيدة العربية مصر وهذا… pic.twitter.com/STsOSC35cF— غزة مباشر 🇵🇸 Gaza live (@Gazam72) December 30, 2023
The mentioned axis is a narrow border strip within the territory of Gaza, extending along a length of 14 km along the border between the Palestinian territory and Egyptian lands from the Kerem Abu Salem crossing to the Mediterranean Sea.
After the Palestinian resistance took control of Gaza in 2007, the axis came under its authority from the Palestinian side. This is a situation that the Israeli Prime Minister seeks to change.
After the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, Netanyahu aims to control all the land crossings specific to the Gaza Strip, including the Philadelphia Axis, indicating clear military actions and a pursuit to change control over this border strip.