Full Breakdown
Netanyahu Directs Israeli Military to Expand Control of Gaza to 70 %
5/29/2026, 11:19:51 AM
Expansion Directive and Current Control
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israel Defense Forces have been ordered to increase Israeli-held territory in the Gaza Strip to roughly 70 % of its area. He said Israel presently controls about 60 % of Gaza, a figure echoed by multiple officials. Military maps released in March show the “Yellow Line” – the cease-fire demarcation – shifted from the originally agreed 53 % to an estimated 64 % under Israeli control. The directive follows a series of incremental advances that have moved the line an additional 11 % beyond the cease-fire limits.
Background & Context
The expansion occurs under a U.S.-brokered cease-fire established in October 2025, which required Israeli forces to withdraw to the Yellow Line while Hamas was to disarm. The agreement has not produced a full Hamas disarmament, and indirect talks mediated by the United States have stalled. Israeli officials describe the seized zones as “buffer zones” intended to limit militant attacks after the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault that triggered the current war.
Data & Statistics
- Territorial control: 53 % (original cease-fire), 60-64 % (current Israeli-held), target 70 % (Netanyahu’s directive).
- Palestinian casualties: 72,742 killed and 172,565 injured (Hamas-run health ministry, deemed reliable by the UN); at least 21,283 of the dead are children. The BBC cites 738 deaths since the cease-fire, while other reports note more than 900 deaths in the same period.
- Israeli casualties: Four soldiers killed by militants since the cease-fire began.
Official Statements & Responses
Netanyahu framed the move as a step-by-step effort to “press” Hamas from all sides and to “deal with the remnants.” Defence Minister Israel Katz reiterated Israel’s pledge that Hamas will not govern Gaza “civilly or militarily” and said a “plan for voluntary emigration from Gaza” would be implemented “at the proper time and in the proper manner.” At the UN Security Council, the Israeli representative urged the body to use “every means at its disposal” to press Hamas to disarm and to ensure Israel upholds its cease-fire commitments.
Criticism & Opposition
Palestinian leaders and civil-society groups describe the expanding “buffer zone” as a strategy for forced displacement, citing senior ministers’ calls for “voluntary migration” that could amount to ethnic cleansing. Far-right officials such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have publicly defended the policy. Humanitarian agencies warn that the loss of two-thirds of Gaza’s land forces the 2.1 million residents into an ever-smaller area already suffering severe water, sanitation and shelter shortages.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact percentage of Gaza under Israeli control (60 % vs. 64 % vs. 53 % at cease-fire start). Casualty figures also vary widely, ranging from 738 to over 900 deaths since the cease-fire, while the Hamas ministry reports more than 72,000 deaths overall. Independent verification of territorial gains and civilian impact remains limited.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Let's go step by step. First of all, 70. Let's start with that. We're pressing them from all sides, we'll deal with the remnants.” — Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
- “We pledged that Hamas will not rule Gaza civilly or militarily,” — Israel Katz, Defence Minister of Israel
- “Speaking to the UN Security Council, he urged the international body to use “every means at its disposal” to press Hamas to disarm and to push Israel to uphold its commitment under the October ceasefire, pointing to its continued killings and restrictions on humanitarian flow.” — Israeli representative, UN Security Council
- “We came out to the sound of a bang, we sat for an hour before we could come out through the (rubble) and find a way out of the tent,” — Etidal Al-Za’im, Gaza resident
What’s Next
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain deadlocked, while the United Nations and the United States continue to press for compliance with the cease-fire terms. Observers warn that further territorial expansion could intensify humanitarian crises and complicate any future political settlement.
