What are the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors and why do they matter?

 Negotiations for an end to the 10-month-long war in Gaza have recently centred around two buffer zones controlled by Israel’s military. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that under a truce agreement, there would be no Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors.

The Philadelphi Corridor, a buffer zone between Egypt and Gaza, has existed for more than four decades, and has been maintained on the basis of two bilateral agreements between Cairo and Israel. 

The Netzarim Corridor, meanwhile, cuts through central Gaza, and was created in recent months by Israeli forces to monitor Palestinians. 

Palestinian groups have firmly rejected Israeli demands on maintaining a military presence in the two corridors, and believe that Netanyahu added these demands to derail negotiations. 

Middle East Eye breaks down what you need to know about the two zones. 

Read more: War on Gaza: What are the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors and why do they matter?