Egypt Rejects Israeli Offer to Build 8 Watchtowers Along Philadelphi Route

Egyptian reports indicate that Egypt has rejected an Israeli proposal to build eight watchtowers along the Philadelphi Route during negotiations held this week in Cairo to reach a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

According to the newspaper “Al-Ghad,” Egypt also rejected an American proposal to build two watchtowers on the border between Gaza and Egypt, which was the focus of recent discussions.

Israel, on its part, emphasized the importance of the presence of the Israeli army in the 14-kilometer-long (9 miles) Philadelphi Route, which separates Egypt from Israel and the Gaza Strip, to prevent Palestinian factions from rearming. In contrast, Hamas and Egypt are seeking a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The news site “Axios” pointed out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to a request by U.S. President Joe Biden to withdraw from one military post, although an official clarified that the adjustment concerns only a few hundred meters.

Editorial Board.