**Biden: Negotiations on Prisoner Deal Still Ongoing**
President Joe Biden stated, “We are still in the midst of negotiations” regarding a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of prisoners.
When asked about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence on retaining Israeli control over the Philadelphia Corridor (Saladin Corridor) between Gaza and Egypt, Biden clarified to Al Arabiya and Al Hadath correspondents, “I am not negotiating with Netanyahu but with my team, Egypt, and Qatar.”
This comes as Netanyahu declared on Monday that Israeli forces must maintain control over the Philadelphia Corridor at the Gaza-Egypt border, pledging “not to yield to pressure” on this issue during ceasefire talks. In a televised press conference following the Israeli authorities’ announcement of retrieving the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, Netanyahu stated, “Achieving the objectives of the war passes through the Philadelphia Corridor.” He added, “Controlling the Philadelphia Corridor ensures that hostages are not smuggled out of Gaza.”
Hamas is demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territory in negotiations mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. The killing of the six hostages has caused widespread grief in Israel and anger towards the government for failing to secure an agreement that would ensure the release of the hostages.
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By/radwa sherif ✏️✏️📚