Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed the Israeli military to expand its control over nearly 70% of the Gaza Strip, a move that has triggered widespread criticism for allegedly violating the ceasefire agreement brokered last year by the United States and other mediators.
According to reports, Netanyahu made the announcement while addressing a conference in an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank. He stated that Israeli forces already controlled nearly 60% of Gaza and had now been instructed to increase their hold to 70% of the territory.
The latest directive is being viewed as a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Under the ceasefire arrangement reached in October 2025, Israeli control was reportedly limited to around 53% of the Gaza Strip through a demarcation line known as the “Yellow Line.” However, international reports suggest that Israeli troops have steadily advanced beyond those agreed boundaries over the past several months.
The expansion of Israeli military zones has intensified concerns among humanitarian organisations and international observers, who argue that the move could further worsen conditions in the densely populated Palestinian enclave. Gaza, home to nearly 2.2 million Palestinians, has already witnessed massive destruction, displacement and shortages of food, medicine and shelter during the prolonged conflict.
Critics have accused the Israeli government of attempting to permanently alter the territorial reality in Gaza and push Palestinians out of large parts of the territory. Human rights groups and Palestinian officials have described the policy as forced displacement, while Israel maintains that the expanded security zones are necessary to prevent future militant attacks.
Reports indicate that Israeli military operations have continued even during the ceasefire period, with hundreds of Palestinians reportedly killed in strikes and clashes since the agreement came into effect. Aid agencies have also raised concerns about restricted humanitarian access and the growing pressure on civilians forced into shrinking pockets of land.
The development has further complicated already fragile peace negotiations in the region. International mediators have been attempting to sustain the ceasefire and negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas, while also working towards a broader political settlement. However, Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that Israel will continue military operations until Hamas is dismantled and no longer poses a threat to Israeli security.
The renewed escalation has also drawn attention amid rising tensions across the Middle East, including Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon and ongoing concerns over regional stability. Analysts warn that expanding Israeli control in Gaza could deepen the humanitarian crisis and reduce the prospects of a long-term political solution to the conflict.
