Full Breakdown
IDF Says It Controls More Than 60% of the Gaza Strip Amid Expansion Orders
7/17/2026, 8:07:01 AM
IDF Claims Control of Over 60% of Gaza
During a change-of-command ceremony for the 99th Division at Netiv Ha’asara, Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth announced that Israeli forces now hold “more than 60% of the Strip.” He added that two divisions maintain a security zone for border communities and that the “threat of an invasion… is no longer possible.” Bluth emphasized that while Hamas still governs the remainder of the enclave, its capacity for large-scale terror infiltration has been eliminated.
Context of the 2025 Ceasefire and Expansion Orders
The current territorial distribution follows an October 2025 ceasefire that initially limited Israeli presence to roughly 53% of Gaza, delineated by the “Yellow Line.” In May, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the IDF to expand its control to 70%, a directive reiterated at a Jordan Valley conference where he urged “step-by-step” progress toward that target.
Official Statements & Responses
The Israeli military framed the advance as a security achievement, noting the establishment of a protected zone for nearby civilian communities. Netanyahu’s public remarks linked the expansion to broader strategic goals while urging patience as the operation proceeds toward the 70% benchmark.
Conflicting Reports on Territory Control
Bluth’s statement of “more than 60%” contrasts with later briefings to the Security Cabinet that placed IDF control between 67% and 70% of Gaza. The variance reflects differing assessments within the Israeli defense establishment regarding the exact extent of the occupied area.
Verbatim Quotes
- “More than 60% of the Strip is in our hands.” — Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, Central Command chief
- “The threat of a terror infiltration like on October 7 is no longer possible,” — Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth
- “My directive is to move to 70% control of the Gaza Strip,” — Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister
- “We're at 60% right now. Let's do this step by step, first 70%,” — Benjamin Netanyahu, Jordan Valley conference
These statements encapsulate the Israeli military’s reported gains, the political directive to expand control, and the ongoing uncertainty about the precise percentage of Gaza under IDF authority.
