Netanyahu orders Israeli forces to control 70% of Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that he has ordered the military to take control of 70 percent of Gaza's territory, a move that appears to contravene a ceasefire agreement in place since October. Speaking at a conference in the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces currently control 60 percent of the Gaza Strip, having expanded from 50 percent control stipulated under the truce.

The directive for further expansion comes amid a stalled implementation of the ceasefire's second phase. The initial phase, which concluded months ago, involved the release of hostages taken during the October 2023 attacks in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel. The subsequent phase, intended to include Hamas's disarmament and a gradual Israeli withdrawal, has not progressed.

Under the October 2025 ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces were to withdraw behind a demarcation known as the "yellow line," which encompassed roughly 53 percent of Gaza. Earlier this week, Hamas accused Israel of moving this line, calling it a serious violation that undermines de-escalation efforts. Netanyahu had previously announced an expansion of control on May 15.