Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed Israeli forces to expand the military-defined “yellow line” to increase operational control over the Gaza Strip.
This expansion signifies a strategic shift in the conflict, as Israel seeks to tighten its grip on the territory to force the disarmament of Hamas.
Netanyahu announced the move on May 28, 2024, and said that the military will take more of the territory [1]. The directive aims to bring roughly 70% [1] of the Gaza Strip under Israeli operational control, including areas surrounding Gaza City [1, 2].
Netanyahu said the goal of this expanded presence is to increase pressure on Hamas and compel the group to disarm [1]. This operational shift occurred after approximately 1,000 days [3] had passed since the start of the conflict on Oct. 7.
"I have directed the military to take more of Gaza, initially 70% of the territory," Netanyahu said [1].
The "yellow line" serves as a military boundary used by the Israel Defense Forces to designate zones of control and operational activity. By shifting this line, the IDF effectively expands the areas where it maintains direct authority and security oversight, a move that alters the geography of the ongoing war.
Israeli forces are now operating with a mandate to secure a larger portion of the enclave to prevent Hamas from regrouping in areas previously considered outside the primary zone of control [1, 2].
“"I have directed the military to take more of Gaza, initially 70% of the territory."”
The expansion of the 'yellow line' represents a transition from targeted raids to a broader strategy of territorial dominance. By claiming operational control over 70% of the Gaza Strip, Israel is establishing a long-term security buffer and restricting the movement of Hamas fighters, which complicates any immediate return to previous governance structures in the region.
