- Israel threatens to annex key Gaza territories, including the Philadelphia Corridor, if Hamas rejects the latest ceasefire proposal.
- The White House opposes annexation, while European powers plan to recognize Palestinian statehood in September, isolating Israel.
- Hamas faces an ultimatum: accept the ceasefire, which excludes prisoner releases and Rafah reopening, or lose land permanently.
- Egypt remains silent but views the Philadelphia Corridor as sovereign, risking regional tensions if Israel acts unilaterally.
- Gaza’s humanitarian crisis worsens, with famine looming and more than 60,000 dead, as diplomatic efforts stall.
Israeli officials have reportedly warned Hamas that rejecting the latest ceasefire proposal will trigger the formal annexation of key territories, including the strategic Philadelphia Corridor and buffer zones. A senior Israeli official stated, "Israel will not be patient for much longer," signaling an end to diplomatic niceties as global pressure mounts.
With the White House expressing "no appetite" for annexation and European powers like France, the UK, and Canada poised to recognize Palestinian statehood in September, the Netanyahu government is at a critical crossroads—one that could either force Hamas to the table or ignite a new phase of territorial confrontation.
The ultimatum: Land for peace or punishment
According to reports from The Times of Israel and Channel 12, Israel delivered a threatening message to Hamas mediators this week: Accept the ceasefire terms, or lose Gaza’s periphery forever. The proposal includes retaining control of the Philadelphia Corridor—a narrow strip along Gaza’s border with Egypt—and maintaining military buffer zones that slice deep into Palestinian territory. Israel also refuses to reopen the Rafah Crossing or meet Hamas’s demands for a mass prisoner release, which officials argue would leave Jerusalem with no leverage to recover remaining hostages.
The ultimatum reflects Israel’s hardening stance after months of stalled negotiations. Talks in Doha collapsed earlier this month when Prime Minister Netanyahu recalled his delegation, accusing Hamas of introducing "new terms" and acting in bad faith. With Hamas yet to respond, Israeli officials now suggest annexation is inevitable if diplomacy fails. "The most painful thing for our enemy is losing lands," said cabinet member Ze’ev Elkin, framing the move as a necessary pressure tactic.
White House resistance and European defiance
While Israel prepares for unilateral action, the Trump administration has privately signaled opposition. Channel 12 reported there is currently "no appetite" in the White House to approve annexation, although U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s recent visit to Israel focused more on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis than territorial disputes. Meanwhile, European powers are moving in the opposite direction. France, the UK, and Canada have all announced plans to recognize Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September in a diplomatic blow to Netanyahu’s government and a potential precursor to broader isolation.
The annexation threat also risks inflaming tensions with Egypt, which has long viewed the Philadelphia Corridor as a sovereign buffer. Cairo has yet to comment publicly, but any Israeli move to formalize control could destabilize the already fragile regional ceasefire efforts.
The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues
Amid the geopolitical maneuvering, Gaza’s civilian population continues to suffer. More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to Hamas-run health authorities. The UN warns of famine, with aid groups describing near-daily shootings at distribution sites and children dying of malnutrition. The Red Cross stated that temporary humanitarian pauses are "insufficient," calling for a "sustained and sustainable agreement" to prevent mass starvation.
If Hamas rejects the ceasefire, Israel appears ready to redraw Gaza’s borders unilaterally, gambling that territorial gains will outweigh international backlash. For Netanyahu, the gamble may also be domestic: Right-wing coalition members are already pushing for permanent settlements in Gaza, with 22 ministers signing a letter this week urging tours of "potential settlement sites." But with the U.S. hesitant and Europe defiant, Israel’s ultimatum could backfire, accelerating Palestinian statehood recognition while leaving Gaza fragmented.
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