Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to further expand their control over the Gaza Strip, raising it to 70 percent. This information was reported in an online article by the BBC on Friday (May 29).
Speaking at a conference on Thursday, Netanyahu stated, “As you know, we are currently cornering Hamas. We now control 60 percent of Gaza’s territory. This figure previously stood at 50 percent and has now reached 60 percent. My directive is to increase this even further…” As he made this statement, someone in the audience interjected with the remark, “100 percent”—a comment that instantly sparked a flurry of discussion.
On this occasion, Netanyahu added, “We intend to proceed in stages—first, to 70 percent. We are applying pressure on them from all sides; measures regarding the remaining territory will be taken at a later stage.”
The report notes that this move to expand control over Gaza stands in direct conflict with the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. That agreement was concluded in October 2025, under the mediation of U.S. President Donald Trump.
However, despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued to carry out attacks in Gaza—and it is against this backdrop that Netanyahu’s latest statement has emerged.
The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health claims that, even after the ceasefire went into effect, Israeli attacks in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 738 Palestinians to date.
