Netanyahu reiterates demand for Israeli control of Philadelphi corridor

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn fire for rejecting calls to soften his demand that Israel retain control of a key buffer zone with Egypt in a press briefing on Monday.

During the briefing, Netanyahu insisted on the "strategic imperative" that Israeli troops remain in the Philadelphi corridor, a buffer zone between Egypt and Gaza that has emerged as a major stumbling block in truce talks.

An unnamed source close to ceasefire negotiations told CNN that Netanyahu has "torpedoed everything in one speech".

Hamas has ruled out any Israeli presence, while Netanyahu has insisted that under a truce agreement, there would be no Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors.

READ MORE: Netanyahu reiterates demand for Israeli control of Philadelphi corridor