Netanyahu says ‘we are not retreating’ during Gaza visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently visited Israeli forces stationed in the Gaza Strip, pledging to maintain a defensive stance despite recent mediator efforts to advance a US-backed ceasefire plan. Netanyahu reiterated that Israel controls 60% of the Strip, vowing not to retreat, as they continue to eliminate terrorist threats from Hamas.

Despite international appeals, Israel has continued striking the Gaza Strip, targeting militants. Netanyahu, facing elections in October, rejected a proposal for advancing the ceasefire plan after Hamas agreed to hand over its weapons. Israeli forces captured a senior Hamas official during a ground operation in Gaza City, killing four Palestinians in the process.

Defense Minister Israel Katz suggested plans to remove Palestinians from Gaza, though this idea has been met with international condemnation, as it is considered a war crime under the Geneva Conventions. Since the ceasefire's implementation in October, Israeli operations have resulted in at least 1,334 Palestinian deaths and five Israeli casualties.