Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has said that keeping the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stationed at the Philadelphi corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border is a strategic necessity and imperative for Israel. In a statement, Netanyahu emphasised that the 14 km strip of land is essential for Israel to achieve its war aims. He said, that the Philadelphi corridor was the pipeline for Hamas’ rearmament.

Netanyahu also vowed that Hamas will pay a heavy price for the alleged killing of six hostages in a Gaza tunnel over the last weekend.

In the meantime, thousands of people have been staging rallies and protests across the country, demanding Netanyahu to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas to secure the return of hostages held in Gaza.