Netanyahu Orders IDF to Expand Gaza Control to 70%

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he has instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to expand its control over the Gaza Strip to 70% of the territory. Speaking at a public conference, Netanyahu said Israeli forces currently control around 60% of Gaza, an increase from the previous 50%. He stated that the military would continue its operations gradually and intensify pressure on Hamas. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel plans to expand its presence step by step while targeting the remaining Hamas strongholds across the territory.

The directive marks a significant escalation in Israel’s military strategy and raises questions about the future of the ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025. Under the terms of that agreement, Israeli troops had withdrawn to a designated demarcation area known as the “yellow line.” However, Netanyahu’s latest remarks suggest Israel intends to maintain and expand its military footprint in Gaza. The move could further complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a lasting peace settlement.

Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the United States, have remained stalled for months. The next phase of the proposed peace plan calls for Hamas to disarm and for Israeli forces to withdraw from Gaza. Despite these objectives, both sides have failed to reach consensus on key issues. As talks remain deadlocked, military actions continue on the ground, reducing prospects for a near-term political breakthrough.

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Netanyahu orders IDF to expand Gaza control

Israeli officials have reiterated their determination to dismantle Hamas’s military and political capabilities. Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel remains committed to pursuing those responsible for the October 2023 attacks and ensuring that Hamas no longer governs Gaza either militarily or politically. He also referenced plans related to what Israeli leaders describe as the voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza, a proposal that has generated significant international criticism and legal concerns.

Meanwhile, Israeli military operations across Gaza have continued in recent days. Airstrikes in Gaza City reportedly killed several people, including children, according to local medical sources. The Israeli military said it targeted Hamas operatives in the northern part of the territory. Among those reported killed was Hamas battalion commander Imad Asleem, who died alongside his teenage daughter. Additional strikes also targeted senior Hamas figures and individuals accused of facilitating the group’s military activities and financial operations.

The conflict traces back to the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign throughout Gaza. The prolonged conflict has caused extensive destruction across the territory and displaced large numbers of residents. As military operations continue and negotiations remain at an impasse, uncertainty persists over the prospects for peace and stability in the region.

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