Netanyahu stands firm on ceasefire terms amid growing outrage in Israel

Jerusalem: Brushing aside pleas from allies and the demands of Israeli protesters for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday vowed to maintain Israeli control along the border between Egypt and Gaza, a contentious plan that appeared to dim, if not dash, prospects for a truce.

The question of Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor –- a narrow strip of land along Gaza’s border with Egypt, seized by troops in May –- has become a central obstacle in the talks.

The Palestinian presidency also expressed appreciation for Egypt's stance against the displacement of Palestinians and reiterated its objection to any Israeli presence along the Philadelphi Corridor.

The deaths of the six, including American Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, have sparked mass demonstrations in Israel by hundreds of thousands of Israelis who want Netanyahu to agree to a cease-fire deal with Hamas that would free the remaining 101 hostages.