Israel has confirmed it will not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border despite the terms of the Qatar- and Egypt-brokered hostage deal.

Axar.az, citing Ynet, reports that an Israeli official cited security concerns, including preventing Hamas from rearming through smuggling routes.

The announcement follows the completion of the first phase of the agreement, which saw the release of 33 hostages—eight of whom were returned deceased. Fifty-nine hostages remain in Hamas captivity after 510 days.

Hamas has insisted on a full Israeli withdrawal, an end to the war, and reconstruction efforts in Gaza as conditions for further negotiations.