Netanyahu: Gaza security crucial to prevent Hamas from smuggling hostages to Iran, which would be a "lost forever" situation.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, has stated that his military will not comply with Hamas' request to withdraw from Gaza, as it poses a threat to national security and the safe release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

There are growing worries that Hamas may attempt to smuggle some of the remaining Israeli hostages into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, a known safe haven for Islamic militant groups, and from there transport them to Yemen or Iran.

Netanyahu believes that the best way to stop Hamas from smuggling hostages is by maintaining the Philadelphi Route, a security corridor linking Gaza to Egypt.

Netanhyu stated on Fox and Friends with Brian Kilmeade that holding the Philadelphi corridor is crucial because it prevents Hamas from rearming, which would allow Gaza to become an Iranian terror enclave once again, posing a threat to our existence.

"However, it's also a way to prevent them from smuggling hostages into Egypt, into the Sinai, where they could disappear," he added. "Then they'll end up in Iran or in Yemen, and they'll be lost forever."

The Hamas chief, Yahya Sinwar, is reportedly working on a secret plan to smuggle himself and other Hamas leadership, as well as some Israeli hostages, out of Gaza through the Philadelphi corridor and then head to Iran, according to a report by The Jewish Chronicle.

Although Israeli intelligence sources were cited in a chronicle, other Israeli news outlets denied the reporting on Thursday, and Planet Chronicle Digital could not verify the intelligence independently.

In his interview with Planet Chronicle, Netanyahu did not elaborate on the benefits Hamas could gain from smuggling the hostages out of Gaza, but securing their release has become a key focus in ceasefire talks.

After the discovery of six Israeli hostages who were killed by Hamas in the tunnels mined by the terrorist organization, Netanyahu has become more vocal in his opposition to U.S. efforts to negotiate a cease-fire agreement.

According to reports, three of the hostages who were killed were intended to be part of an exchange under a cease-fire deal proposed in July, but which ultimately fell through.

"Netanhyu stated that we are doing everything possible to remove the remainder, but Hamas persistently declines to make a deal."

The details of the ceasefire agreement proposed by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt have been closely guarded for months, and recent reporting suggests that the most recent deal signed by Israel but rejected by Hamas was due to Jerusalem's refusal to vacate the Philadelphi Route.

He stated that it is a direct falsehood, emphasizing that it involves more than just keeping the corridor.

Netanyahu stated that we must ensure two things: first, release the hostages, and second, maintain the red lines vital for Israel's safety and existence.

He added, "I believe they both travel through the Philadelphi corridor."

Although Netanyahu opposes ceding control of the strategic route and Hamas refuses to release more hostages until Israel stops its operations in Gaza, Blinken stated that negotiations are making progress.

According to him, while 90 percent agreement has been reached based on what has been seen, there are still critical issues that need to be resolved in order to achieve full agreement. These issues were discussed in detail, including the exchange of hostages and prisoners in the Philadelphi corridor, in recent days.

But pretty much everything else is there," he added, "So that remains.

Blinken anticipates that an updated deal will be announced by Egypt, Qatar, Hamas, and the U.S. in the near future to strengthen a cease-fire agreement.

"After that, the parties will have to make a decision of yes or no, and we'll find out," he said.