Tel aviv: Israel plans to maintain a long-term military presence at three strategic sites in and around the Gaza Strip, even after a prisoner exchange deal and a phased army withdrawal under US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported Saturday.
According to Anadolu Agency, the broadcaster cited unnamed informed sources indicating that Israeli officials have conveyed details of the plan to Washington. The plan includes holding positions in a buffer zone inside Gaza's borders, though the specifics of its depth and size were not disclosed; the Philadelphi Corridor along the border with Egypt; and the Tel al-Mantar hill, also known as Tel al-70, east of Gaza City's Shujaiya neighborhood.
Tel al-Mantar, which rises 70 meters above sea level, provides Israel with extensive visual and fire control over large parts of northern Gaza, including Gaza City and the Jabalia refugee camp, as per Kan. The positions are reportedly considered vital by Israel for maintaining field superiority and surveillance capabilities, and Washington is said to understand Israel's need to keep troops stationed at these sites even after the initial phase of withdrawal.
The plan reportedly envisions the Israeli army beginning its withdrawal from combat zones after recovering all captives. The forces would initially reposition temporarily along the 'yellow line' inside Gaza before later retreating to the 'red line,' coinciding with the deployment of foreign forces operating under a US mandate to manage security. In the final stage, Israeli forces are expected to be stationed along Gaza's borders while retaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor and the strategic hill to prevent future security threats.
Egypt announced Saturday that it will host Israeli and Hamas delegations on Monday to discuss details of a prisoner exchange as part of Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that he believed Hamas was 'ready for lasting peace' and urged Israel to 'immediately stop bombing Gaza' to secure the release of Israeli captives.
On September 29, Trump unveiled his 20-point plan, which includes the release of Israeli captives within 72 hours of Israel's approval, a ceasefire, and the disarmament of Hamas. Tel Aviv estimates that 48 Israeli captives remain in Gaza, including 20 alive. Meanwhile, Israel holds around 11,100 Palestinian captives, many of whom face torture, hunger, and medical neglect, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups.
Since October 2023, Israeli bombardment has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian casualties in Gaza, with much of the infrastructure reduced to rubble.