JERUSALEM, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Israel's security cabinet voted on Friday in favor of maintaining Israeli troops along the Gaza-Egypt border as part of any potential ceasefire.

A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Xinhua that eight security cabinet ministers voted in favor, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant voted against, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir abstained from the vote.

In response, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a volunteer-based organization dedicated to securing the return of Israeli citizens held hostage by Hamas, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "never missing an opportunity to ensure there will not be a deal."

"Not a day goes by when Netanyahu isn't actively working to jeopardize the return of all the hostages," the forum stated.

The Philadelphi Corridor, a 14-kilometer strip of land along the Gaza-Egypt border, has become a critical issue in the negotiations for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that would secure the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

According to Israel's state-owned Kan TV news, Netanyahu agreed to a proposal that did not include Israeli control over the corridor in May. However, he introduced a new demand for control after Hamas had already accepted the May proposal.

Netanyahu insists that Israeli control over the area is vital to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza. Enditem.

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