Tel Aviv, Sep 2 (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will continue to insist on maintaining an Israeli presence along Gaza's border with Egypt as part of any cease-fire deal.

Netanyahu's demand to remain in the Philadelphi corridor has been a major sticking point in cease-fire talks with Hamas. The Islamic militant group is demanding a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as part of any deal that would free the dozens of hostages it is holding in Gaza.

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Netanyahu said that if Israel agrees to withdraw, even temporarily, the international community will never allow it to return.

“It determines our entire future,” he told a news conference. “This is the oxygen of Hamas.”

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Netanyahu is under heavy pressure to reach a deal after Hamas militants killed six hostages, shortly before Israeli troops reached the tunnel where they were being held. (AP)

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