Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed that Israel will maintain control over roughly 60% of the Gaza Strip, rejecting the prospect of a withdrawal from the territory. Speaking from an Israeli military base inside Gaza on Wednesday, Netanyahu stated, “We are not withdrawing,” a message disseminated through his office in a video recording.

The declaration comes amidst ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli forces recently expanded their control from 53% to about 60% of the area. While the US-led peace initiative has proposed that Israeli troops would pull back once the Palestinian group Hamas is fully disarmed, Netanyahu indicated that the current military presence will be sustained regardless of the group’s status.

This marks a shift from statements made in August, when Netanyahu suggested that Israel might consider withdrawing if Hamas relinquished its weapons. However, his recent comments underscore a firm position on retaining territorial control amid continued efforts to neutralize Hamas.

The Israeli military’s operations in Gaza are part of a broader campaign aimed at diminishing Hamas’s capabilities. The details of future Israeli deployments and governance in the Gaza Strip remain uncertain, especially in light of the evolving security dynamics and diplomatic efforts related to the conflict.