Israel's refusal to withdraw from a narrow strip of desert on the Gaza side of the border with Egypt, as called for in the ceasefire with Hamas, could further threaten the fragile truce. An Israeli official said Thursday that Israeli forces would remain in the so-called Philadelphi corridor to prevent weapons smuggling.

The narrow strip of territory contains the vital Rafah Crossing and is key for controlling the flow of goods and people into, and out of, Gaza

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen has set four conditions for the Israeli army’s withdrawal from the Philadelphi Axis.

Hamas had said that negotiation and adherence to the ceasefire agreement was the only way for Israel to secure the release of remaining hostages