Israel may increase its control over the Gaza Strip to 70%
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he had instructed the army to gradually expand its control over the Gaza Strip to 70%. According to him, Israel already controls about 60% of the territory, and the process will continue, media reports say.
During a conference in the Jordan Valley region, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to gradually expand the area of control in the Gaza Strip to approximately 70%, emphasizing that this process is already underway and will continue in the near future.
He noted that Israeli forces currently control about 60% of the territory in the sector, whereas previously this figure was lower, and, according to him, the trend is gradually shifting in favor of expanding the army’s presence. “We currently control 60%. It was 50%, now it’s 60%. My directive is to move toward 70%. Let’s start with that,” Netanyahu said, adding that the process would take place in stages.
His words were met with noticeable support from those present; some conference participants even called for even broader control over the entire Gaza Strip, which added political tension to the discussion of the situation.
At the same time, it was previously reported that the Israel Defense Forces had provided humanitarian organizations with maps showing that control over the sector already covered more than 60% of the territory, and following the terms of the temporary ceasefire, Israeli forces partially withdrew to the so-called “Yellow Line,” retaining control of approximately half of the sector.
Earlier, Israel had set strict conditions for opening the Rafah crossing under Trump’s plan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the Gaza Strip would not be rebuilt until the Hamas group laid down its arms. Israel also intends to continue controlling the security situation in both Gaza and the West Bank.
