Saudi Arabia condemns Netanyahu's Philadelphi Corridor statements

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday expressed "strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli statements regarding the Philadelphi Corridor."

The kingdom's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Tuesday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Monday that the Israeli military would maintain a presence for the foreseeable future in a narrow strip of land bordering Egypt known as the Philadelphi Corridor. Israel maintains that Hamas has long used the terrain to smuggle weapons, ammunition and goods into Gaza used to build up its military capabilities. The militant group, for its part, has demanded Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza as part of any cease-fire deal. 

Netanyahu said in a press conference Monday that controlling the Philadelphi Corridor is a “strategic imperative” for Israel. He added that he would not “succumb to pressure” on the issue in cease-fire negotiations.

Saudi Arabia rejects “the futile attempts to justify continued Israeli violations of international laws and norms, affirming its solidarity and support for the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt in confronting these Israeli allegations,” the ministry stated. 

Saudi Arabia joins Jordan, Qatar and Egypt — both critical participants in cease-fire talks — in its condemnation of Netanyahu’s comments. Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday accused Netanyahu of trying to “distract Israeli public opinion” and “obstruct reaching a cease-fire deal.”

The Biden administration has sought to normalize ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, though prospects remain dim as Riyadh has said that normalization with Israel would be contingent on a credible path to Palestinian statehood.