Palestinian "resistance" leader responds to proposal for second phase Philadelphi withdrawal

A Palestinian "resistance" leader speaking to pro-Hezbollah media outlet Al-Mayadeen today (Wednesday) said that an Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi corridor in the second stage of the deal, as proposed by the Mossad to the hostage deal mediators, is "unacceptable to the resistance."

The leader said that they insisted on a withdrawal from the corridor in the first phase, "as there's no guarantee of reaching the second phase."

Hamas senior leader Osama Hamdan gave an interview to al-Jazeera yesterday, rejecting any third party presence on the Gaza-Egypt border and dismissing Prime Minister Netanyahu's press conference in favor of retaining control of Philadelphi.

Hamdan said that the terrorist organization's stance has not changed, and that no full hostage deal is possible without complete withdrawal from the Strip, "serious" release of prisoners, and a permanent ceasefire.