Netanyahu’s statements came after Hebrew Media reported that the Israeli cabinet voted in favour of keeping Israeli occupation forces on the Egypt-Gaza border after the end of the war. 

“We have to stay on the Philadelphi corridor; it is essential for Israel’s security,” Netanyahu said, according to the Times of Israel. 

Netanyahu stated “If we leave, it will be difficult for us to return. This is a critical time in the war to maintain the corridor, without which we will not be able to fulfil the goals of the war.”

According to the ceasefire plan introduced by US President Joe Biden on 31 May, Israel would withdraw from the border and the corridors along the Egypt-Gaza border in the first phase of a three-phase ceasefire and captive deal. 

“If we withdraw, we won’t [be able to] return there — not for 42 days and not for 42 years,” the Israeli Prime Minister said. 

According to Biden, the ceasefire framework originated from Israel.

Controlling the corridor has emerged as one of the key sticking points in ceasefire negotiations. Israel established control over the Philadelphi corridor on 29 May. 

Netanyahu has been widely accused of sabotaging talks by constantly upping Israeli demands to prolong the war, with an Israeli report saying US President Biden told Netanyahu to stop bullshitting him after the latter said Israel was moving forwards with negotiations on a ceasefire deal with Hamas and would soon send a delegation to resume talks. 

Egypt, one of the key mediators of the ceasefire deal along with the US and Qatar, has reiterated its rejection of any Israeli presence in the Philadelphi corridor and the Rafah crossing as a constant of any peace agreement, a high-level Egyptian source told Extra News TV on Monday. 

“Egypt reiterates its emphasis on the constants and outlines of any peace agreement, most notably the categorical rejection of the Israeli presence in the Philadelphi corridor and the Rafah crossing,” the channel cited the source.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu also seemingly shifted the stated goals of the war on Gaza, saying “The focus will be the denial of governmental capabilities.” 

“There will be a change in food and humanitarian aid distribution,” he added. 

The stated goal of the brutal Israeli war on Gaza so far has been the elimination of the fighting power of Hamas, a claim which has been disputed. 

Israel has killed and injured over 130,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, and damaged most of the strip's infrastructure since the start of the war on the strip.