Netanyahu's stance on Philadelphi corridor driven by fear of government collapse, says former Shin Bet chief

By Zein Khalil

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - Nadav Argaman, former head of Israel's Shin Bet security agency, criticized Benjamin Netanyahu for his insistence on maintaining control over the Philadelphi corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, suggesting the prime minister's actions are motivated by a desire to prevent his government from collapsing.

In an interview with Channel 12 on Friday evening, Argaman, who led the agency from 2016 to 2021, called for an immediate halt to the war and a withdrawal from Gaza, urging the return of Israeli hostages.

Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack by Hamas that claimed 1,200 lives and around 250 were taken as captives. About 101 Israelis are still believed to remain in the blockaded enclave.

Netanyahu has insisted for weeks that his forces will not withdraw from the Gaza-Egypt border, a key demand of both Hamas and Egypt in talks to reach a cease-fire deal.

Argaman refuted Netanyahu's recent claims about the significance of the Philadelphi corridor made during a press conference earlier this week. Netanyahu says weapons are being smuggled into Gaza through this route.

Argaman countered that “there is no connection between the weapons in Gaza and the Philadelphi corridor."

Netanyahu had argued that once Israel relinquished control over the Philadelphi corridor, rockets, drones, and other weaponry were smuggled into Gaza. Argaman dismissed these claims, saying “the Philadelphi corridor is only required for the Netanyahu-Smotrich axis to preserve this messianic and dangerous government.”

According to him, most of Gaza's weaponry is self-produced by Hamas from materials that enter the enclave as dual-use items, such as agricultural fertilizers.

He advocated for a deal to release the hostages, acknowledging that it would be a painful agreement involving the release of prisoners, but deemed it necessary.

The former intel chief suggested that Israel needs to pursue a cease-fire, withdraw from Gaza, and shift focus to the northern front with Lebanon and the West Bank, while forming a regional and international alliance against Iran.

He said Israel is not equipped for prolonged wars, both socially and economically, and believed the current war should have ended long ago.

Addressing concerns raised by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich about the potential for renewed attacks if Israel withdrew from Gaza, Argaman dismissed their arguments, noting their lack of strategic and security expertise.

Far-right ministers, including Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, have threatened to withdraw support for the government if an agreement that ends the war is accepted.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi