Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a surprise visit to Israeli troops in southern Gaza on Thursday. During the photo opportunity, he reiterated his demand that the Israel military must remain in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on the border to Egypt, even after a possible ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The demand is seen as an obstacle to ending the conflict in Gaza, which emerged after the October 7 attacks and has produced a massive humanitarian toll. In a video released by his office, Netanyahu said he felt strengthened in his conviction that control of the…