Netanyahu Ordered the Military to Expand Control Over Gaza From 60% to 70% of the Territory

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the military to expand its control over territory in the Gaza Strip, increasing pressure on Hamas.

“We are currently squeezing Hamas,” Netanyahu said at a conference in the occupied West Bank. According to him, Israel already controls around 60% of Gaza’s territory and intends to raise that figure to 70%. He did not provide a specific timeline.

Under the terms of the US-backed ceasefire that came into effect in October, Israel gained control over 53% of the enclave’s territory. The agreement envisioned a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Hamas was expected to disarm and relinquish control over the remaining areas.

However, fighting continued, Israel expanded the area under its control, and Hamas neither gave up its weapons nor surrendered authority over parts of the enclave.