Netanyahu Vows No Gaza Withdrawal, Cites Control of Territory

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited an IDF outpost near the Gaza border on Wednesday, accompanied by top military officials including Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Southern Command head Yaniv Asor. During the visit, commanders briefed Netanyahu on ongoing operations, troop missions, and efforts to neutralize threats to soldiers and nearby Israeli communities. "We control the territory. We are not withdrawing and we are staying on this line," Netanyahu stated from the Palestinian enclave. He asserted that Israel now controls 60% of the Gaza Strip and continues operations against Hamas members posing a threat. The Prime Minister also mentioned the previous day's arrest of Hamas's head of internal security in Gaza, whom Israeli authorities accuse of involvement in concealing and transferring hostages, protecting senior Hamas officials, and working to restore the group's capabilities. Netanyahu reiterated that disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza remain Israel's primary objectives, stating, "Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel." He claimed this goal has been "largely achieved," though acknowledged further operations are necessary. "There is still work to be done, and we will complete it," he concluded.