Netanyahu Says IDF to Expand Control of Gaza to 70%

Netanyahu says he has directed IDF – Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, announced that he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to expand their territorial dominance in Gaza to 70%. Speaking at a recent conference, he emphasized the progress made against Hamas, stating that the military currently controls 60% of the territory. This figure, which he underscored as a milestone, marks an increase from the 53% agreed upon in October 2025. Netanyahu hinted at a gradual approach, suggesting that the next phase would aim for complete control, though he paused mid-sentence as a crowd member interjected with the number 100.

“We are currently squeezing Hamas; we now control 60% of the territory of the Strip – you know this. We were at 50, we moved to 60. My directive is to move to,”

Netanyahu’s remarks reflect a strategic shift toward intensifying pressure on the militant group. The expansion of Israeli control contrasts with the terms of the ceasefire agreement brokered by Donald Trump in October 2025, which stipulated a withdrawal to a demarcation line known as the “yellow line.” This line was meant to serve as a boundary between Israel and Hamas, yet Netanyahu’s latest directive suggests the plan may be under threat.

As of 12 May 2026, the Hamas-run health ministry reported 72,742 Palestinians killed in Gaza, with 172,565 injured. These figures, which the United Nations has deemed reliable, highlight the toll of the ongoing conflict. At least 738 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect in October, according to the same ministry. Netanyahu has reiterated his claim that the IDF controls more than 60% of the territory, a stance that challenges the ceasefire’s original parameters.

The recent military actions in Gaza continue despite the ceasefire, which was meant to reduce hostilities. The situation remains tense as Israel and Hamas struggle to reach agreement on the 20-point peace proposal. Under this plan, Hamas is expected to disarm, and Israeli troops would withdraw, but the talks have stalled. The new directive to increase control to 70% seems to signal a more aggressive stance, potentially undermining the ceasefire’s effectiveness.

On Wednesday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz tweeted that his country had committed to eliminating all individuals responsible for the October 7 massacre. “We pledged that Hamas will not rule Gaza civilly or militarily,” he stated. This aligns with Netanyahu’s broader strategy of weakening Hamas’s influence. Katz also mentioned the implementation of a “plan for voluntary emigration from Gaza,” which he described as a future objective.

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, and Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, have previously endorsed the idea of “voluntary migration” from Gaza. They argue this process could lead to the displacement of Palestinians, a move they frame as a necessary step for Jewish settlement. Critics, however, suggest this might amount to forced removal, potentially constituting a war crime.

In recent days, several strikes have targeted Gaza, resulting in significant casualties. On Wednesday, an Israeli attack on a building in Gaza City killed at least 10 people, including five children, according to local hospitals. The military later confirmed striking two central Hamas terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip, though they did not release their identities. The attack is believed to have targeted Hamas battalion commander Imad Asleem, who was killed alongside his teenage daughter, Israa.

Just a day earlier, an Israeli strike in Khan Younis claimed the lives of Ihab Khrizim, head of a Hamas funds transfer network, and Mohammed al-Habash, a commander in the group’s production headquarters. Al-Habash was said to have played a role in weapons manufacturing. The deaths occurred as part of a broader campaign to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure.

The conflict in Gaza began with the Hamas-led attack in 2023, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Israel’s response was a massive military campaign that devastated much of the territory, leaving over 2.1 million residents displaced. The current situation, with Israeli forces advancing toward 70% control, underscores the ongoing efforts to reshape the region’s political landscape.

Netanyahu’s directive to expand control to 70% has raised concerns about the sustainability of the ceasefire. While the agreement was intended to provide a framework for peace, the continued military actions suggest that Israel may not be fully committed to its terms. The next steps in the peace plan, including the disarmament of Hamas, remain uncertain as indirect negotiations drag on.

With the recent attacks and the increasing territorial gains, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens. The death toll has surged, with over 21,283 children among the victims. As the conflict evolves, the balance between military strategy and political objectives continues to shift, leaving the future of the ceasefire in question.