Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he directed the military to take control of about 70% [1] of the Gaza Strip.
This expansion of military presence marks a significant escalation in the territorial control of the Palestinian territories. The move signals a shift in strategy as Israel seeks to exert more direct influence over the region during a period of diplomatic instability.
Netanyahu said the directive was intended to strengthen Israel’s position in the ongoing conflict. He said the military expansion is necessary to enforce a cease-fire arrangement that he said Hamas is undermining [2].
"I have directed the military to take over about 70% of Gaza," Netanyahu said [1].
The Prime Minister linked the operational shift to the current state of diplomatic negotiations. He said the decision reflects Israel’s determination to secure a decisive advantage as the cease-fire talks stall [2].
Israeli forces are now tasked with expanding their footprint to meet the 70% [1] threshold. The directive comes as the conflict continues to impact the civilian population across the Gaza Strip, an area already devastated by months of fighting.
Netanyahu said the military objective is tied to the broader goal of ensuring that any future agreements are upheld. By controlling a larger portion of the territory, the Israeli government aims to limit the operational capacity of opposing forces while maintaining a strategic presence on the ground.
“"I have directed the military to take over about 70% of Gaza."”
By ordering control over 70% of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government is moving from targeted operations toward a more comprehensive territorial occupation. This strategy aims to create leverage in stalled diplomatic negotiations by demonstrating that Israel can maintain physical control over the majority of the territory regardless of the outcome of cease-fire talks.
