Israel will remain in control of more than half of the Gaza Strip after withdrawal: Israeli official

Israeli troops will remain in control of more than half of the Gaza Strip once they retreat to an agreed line, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. The ceasefire and Israeli redeployment will begin 24 hours after Mr Netanyahu’s cabinet meets on Thursday evening to approve the ceasefire, said the spokeswoman, Shosh Bedrosian. Phase one of the peace deal with Hamas “will lead to the military controlling and holding about 53 per cent of the Gaza Strip”, she said. Israeli tanks were blocking a coastal road to Gaza city on Thursday.