Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he instructed the Israeli military to extend its control over 70 per cent of the Gaza Strip, marking a significant escalation in Israel's campaign against Hamas. Speaking during a conference in the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces had already increased their hold from around 50 per cent to 60 per cent of the territory and would continue advancing 'step by step'.
The announcement has intensified fears over the future of Gaza and the fragile ceasefire brokered by the United States in October 2025. Palestinian officials and international observers warn that expanding Israeli control could force nearly two million Palestinians into increasingly overcrowded areas while raising concerns that Gaza may become permanently divided.
