Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will not withdraw from the areas it currently controls in Gaza. During a visit near the Gaza “Yellow Line” on September 2, Netanyahu said Israel controls around 60% of the Gaza Strip and intends to stay in its current positions. “We are not withdrawing. We are staying on this line,” Netanyahu said, according to Israeli reports. He added that Israeli forces would continue operations against Hamas fighters and other groups that Israel considers a security threat. Netanyahu said Israel’s main goals are to disarm Hamas and prevent Gaza from becoming a threat to Israel again. He indicated that Israeli forces would continue their operations until these goals are achieved. His comments come as negotiations over the future of Gaza remain difficult. A U.S.-backed ceasefire has reduced the level of fighting, but Israeli forces continue carrying out military operations in Gaza. Israel says these operations are aimed at stopping Hamas from rebuilding its military and security capabilities. Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and has called for an Israeli withdrawal. Netanyahu also referred to an Israeli operation on September 1 in Gaza City. Israeli forces and the Shin Bet security agency captured Muein al-Arabid, described by Israel as the head of Hamas’s internal security apparatus in Gaza. Israeli officials said he was involved in Hamas’s efforts to strengthen its control in northern Gaza and had links to attacks against Israeli forces. Netanyahu said Israel expects to learn important information from the captured Hamas official. Israeli officials said he was taken to Israel for questioning. The latest statements suggest that Israel is preparing to maintain a long-term military presence in parts of Gaza. This could make future negotiations more difficult because Hamas and other Palestinian groups have demanded an Israeli withdrawal, while Netanyahu says Israel will not leave until Hamas is disarmed and Gaza no longer poses a security threat.