Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday made a surprise visit to the country’s troops in Rafah, southern Gaza.
During the visit, Netanyahu sounded a tone of triumph in the war against Hamas.
Netanyahu noted the need for Israel to keep control of the Gaza Strip.
The PM’s office announced Netanyahu’s visit to Rafah after Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site.
There has been talks over a cease-fire in the 9-month-old Israel-Hamas war.
According to the statement, the Israeli PM said his talks with troops and commanders had made him “stronger in the understanding that our control of the Philadelphi corridor and of the Rafah crossing are essential going forward.”
Netanyahu also said Israel demands “a maximum number of hostages” to be released in the first phase.
This is likely to fuel Hamas’ suspicions he aims to get out as many hostages as possible and then resume fighting.
Hamas war: Israeli PM Netanyahu makes surprise visit to Gaza
