Netanyahu Signals Expanded Military Grip on Gaza to 70 Percent
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- Netanyahu has ordered Israeli forces to expand their control in Gaza to 70 percent, despite the ceasefire framework agreed in October 2025.
- The second phase of the ceasefire has stalled for months as Israel maintains military pressure and delays a broader withdrawal from the territory.
- Concerns over forced displacement have grown after Israeli officials signaled plans that could push Palestinian residents out of Gaza under what they described as a voluntary migration scheme.
Jakarta – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has instructed the Israel Defense Forces to expand control over 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, signaling a continued military presence despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025.
The statement suggests that Israel does not intend to fully withdraw from Gaza following nearly two years of conflict. Speaking at an event in a West Bank settlement, Netanyahu said Israeli forces currently control about 60 percent of the territory, according to footage aired by Israel’s Channel 12 and cited by Al Arabiya on Thursday.
Netanyahu explained that under the October 2025 ceasefire arrangement with Hamas, Israeli troops had initially secured around 50 percent of Gaza. “My directive is to move toward 70 percent,” he said, adding that military pressure on Hamas would continue. “We are pressing them from all sides. We will deal with the rest afterward.”
The ceasefire agreement was designed to proceed in multiple phases. In the first phase, Hamas released Israeli hostages captured during the October 7, 2023 attack. In exchange, Israel freed thousands of Palestinian prisoners.
The process was expected to move into a second phase, which included the disarmament of Hamas and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. However, progress on this phase has stalled for months.
Under the agreement, Israeli forces were expected to pull back to what is known as the “Yellow Line,” a demarcation separating areas controlled by Hamas from those held by Israeli forces. Hamas has repeatedly stated it will not disarm as long as Israeli occupation continues.
On May 15, 2026, Netanyahu reiterated that Israeli forces had expanded their presence in Gaza. “Some say: leave, leave. We are not leaving. Today we control 60 percent. Tomorrow, we will see,” he said at the time.
Earlier this week, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed the government’s objective to end Hamas rule in Gaza. He also hinted at plans involving the displacement of Palestinian residents, referring to what he described as a “voluntary migration plan.” “This will be carried out at the right time and in the right way,” Katz said.
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