JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that the border zone between the Gaza Strip and Egypt must remain under Israeli control, even after the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian enclave concludes.

His remarks were made as an Israeli delegation, led by Shin Bet internal security service chief Ronen Bar, was en route to Cairo to continue talks with negotiators over a ceasefire deal with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.

READ MORE: Bodies trapped in Gaza under Israeli assault as mediators push for truce

The talks aim to secure a ceasefire agreement and facilitate the release of over 100 individuals still held by Hamas in Gaza.

Netanyahu emphasized that to prevent "the smuggling of weapons" to Hamas from Egypt, Israel must control the "Philadelphi Corridor", the area between Gaza and Egypt, as well as the Rafah crossing

Speaking at an officers' course graduation ceremony at a military base in southern Israel, Netanyahu emphasized that to prevent "the smuggling of weapons" to Hamas from Egypt, Israel must control the "Philadelphi Corridor", the area between Gaza and Egypt, as well as the Rafah crossing.

READ MORE: UN agency slams Israel for targeting schools in Gaza

"Any agreement must permit Israel to resume fighting until all the objectives of the war are achieved," Netanyahu declared. "We will not allow the return of armed terrorists or the entry of weapons into the northern Gaza Strip."

He further insisted that he demands that "a maximum number of live hostages be released on the first stage of the deal".

ALSO READ: Israel presses Gaza offensive hours after deadly airstrike on tent camp

In early May, Israeli ground forces stormed the area of Rafah, launching a major offensive on Gaza's southernmost city where more than 1 million displaced people were seeking shelter.

The troops gained control over the Gaza-Egypt border area as well as the Rafah crossing area, according to the Israeli military.