Israeli PM Netanyahu says 'we are not retreating' during Gaza visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, reaffirming his commitment to not retreating despite recent mediation efforts for a US-backed ceasefire plan. During his visit, Netanyahu asserted that Israel maintains control over 60 percent of the Strip and will not withdraw troops until Hamas is genuinely disarmed, as per the October 2025 ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

The Prime Minister emphasized Israel's resolve to eliminate threats posed by the Islamist group, which carried out the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Netanyahu's comments came as Israel captured the head of Hamas' internal security apparatus in Gaza City, though the official identified him as an officer rather than the chief.

Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated plans to remove Palestinians from Gaza, though the US has yet to determine where they would be resettled. The conflict has resulted in at least 1,334 Palestinian casualties and five Israeli deaths, according to the Palestinian health ministry and Israeli army reports.