Witnessed and recorded by an NBC News crew in Gaza, the fighters' presence at a crossing deemed vital for keeping Hamas from going into the north of Gaza raises big questions about one of Israel’s stated objectives in launching the war: eliminate the militant group behind the worst terrorist attack in Israeli history.

"The concept of the "day after the war" and the removal of Hamas from the equation no longer exists, and the future of Gaza is purely a Palestinian matter," he added.

The visit by the Israeli prime minister will be the first from a foreign leader during President Donald Trump’s second term.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stand during his corruption trial Monday in Tel Aviv, defending himself against two aides after failing to get the hearing delayed.

Netanyahu's office said Thursday his Cabinet won't meet to approve the Gaza ceasefire deal until Hamas backs down from what it called a "last minute crisis."

The visit comes as the United States pressures Israel and Hamas to continue a ceasefire that has paused a devastating 15-month war in Gaza.

The visit by the envoy, Steven Witkoff, was set to take place as Israeli and Hamas officials prepared for a new round of negotiations aimed at cementing the current cease-fire in Gaza and allowing more exchanges of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

An Israeli airstrike on Nabatieh, a major town in southern Lebanon, injured 14 people on Tuesday, said the Lebanese health ministry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says U.S. President Donald Trump has invited him to visit the White House on Feb. 4. This will make Netanyahu the first foreign leader to visit Washington in Trump's second term.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hoping to meet with President Donald Trump in Washington as early as next week, according to two U.S. officials familiar with preliminary planning for the trip.