Egypt has strongly denied Israeli claims that active tunnels run under the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, a contested area known as the Philadelphi Corridor. Israeli officials have suggested that these tunnels enable the smuggling of weapons and people into the besieged enclave, but Egypt insists that all such tunnels were blocked six years ago.
The denial follows reports from an Israeli source involved in ceasefire talks with Cairo, who told Haaretz that Egyptian officials have assured Israel that no active tunnels remain between Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula. This position directly contradicts recent assessments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.
“There’s always a possibility that smuggling is taking place through tunnels that neither Egypt nor Israel know about,” the source admitted. However, they added that Netanyahu’s demands for a permanent Israeli presence in the corridor have raised concerns and angered Egyptian officials.
Egypt has also confirmed that the tunnels recently discovered by the Israeli military in Gaza do not have exits on the Egyptian side. The issue of tunnel activity has become a major sticking point in ongoing ceasefire negotiations, particularly in discussions about a potential prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Palestinian factions.
Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining an Israeli presence along the Philadelphi Corridor has further complicated the stalled talks, casting a shadow over efforts to reach a comprehensive ceasefire agreement.