Published 2 hours ago • loading... • Updated 1 hour ago
Israeli PM Netanyahu says he directed the military to take over 70% of Gaza
Netanyahu said Israeli forces already control 60% of Gaza and should move step by step to 70% as part of operations against Hamas.
On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the military to take control of 70% of the Gaza Strip, signaling a major escalation that defies the fragile October ceasefire agreement.
Under the October 2025 ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces withdrew to a demarcation line known as the "yellow line" encompassing roughly 53% of Gaza; Israel has since steadily increased territorial control inside the enclave.
Netanyahu acknowledged that Israeli forces currently control 60% of Gaza, moving from 50% previously, while the Israel Defense Forces issued maps in late April showing approximately 64% control.
Hamas accused Israel on Tuesday of violating the ceasefire agreement by moving the demarcation line, claiming this constitutes an attempt to impose new facts on the ground and entrench military control.
The seizure of more territory would force approximately 2 million Palestinians into a shrinking fraction of Gaza's shattered territory, fueling wider regional tensions across West Asia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that he ordered the army to defy the terms of the October armistice and take control of 70% of the Gaza Strip, according to an Israeli television recording, AFP reports.