Earlier on September 4, 2014, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu presented his demand for a permanent ceasefire of the Gaza war in Jerusalem during a news conference. He stressed that Israel would accept the cease-fire if the status of the border area between the south of the Gaza Strip and Egypt would not be used to supply the Hamas militant group.
“Until that happens, we are there,” Netanyahu said, with reference to his opposition to the withdrawal from the Philadelphi corridor at the moment of the beginning of negotiations. He said that the fact is international influence will indeed make such withdrawal practically impossible to achieve.
To achieve the sustainable cessation of hostilities, Netanyahu demanded guarantees that no other governing authority in postwar Gaza be in a position to allow the utilization of the corridor for the purpose of smuggling weapons and supplies to Hamas.
“Somebody has to be there,” he continued arguing with other world leaders to show that they are capable of ensuring that the security of the region will not be compromised.
He also stressed the necessity to continue exerting pressure on Hamas in order to free the remaining 101 hostages as he said, ‘You have to keep them under pressure in order to free the remaining hostages.’ He said controlling the Philadelphi corridor is crucial for exerting the necessary pressure over the group.
