Negotiations are reportedly advancing on the potential deployment of Arab forces along the Egypt-Gaza border, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, as part of post-war arrangements for the Gaza Strip. London-based Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported Thursday that Egypt has been presented with the proposal, facilitated by the United Arab Emirates, which involves discussions with several Arab nations including Morocco, Mauritania, and Djibouti.
The proposed Arab contingent might be positioned at the Netzarim crossing, a route established by Israeli forces during the ongoing Gaza war. The force would aim to create a buffer between northern and southern Gaza, aligning with potential scenarios for an Israeli military drawdown. Israeli officials are reportedly developing contingency plans for a possible withdrawal from the Netzarim area, while seeking to safeguard national security interests.
Egyptian authorities have expressed a preference for deploying observers to monitor Palestinian security forces' activities in the area, rather than direct intervention. The stance reflects Cairo's delicate balancing act between maintaining regional stability and avoiding excessive entanglement in Gaza's internal affairs.
The Philadelphi Corridor has been a key point of contention in ceasefire and hostage negotiations, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting on maintaining Israeli control over this area to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza.
