Israel seeks to annex 70% of Gaza as Hamas questions Peace Council silence
ISTANBUL – The Islamic Resistance Movement (Harakatu al-Muqawwamah al-Islamiyah), or Hamas, has urged the Peace Council to take a clear stance on Israel’s plan to expand its control over the Gaza Strip.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem criticised the Peace Council’s silence on the issue and condemned its high representative for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, for not issuing any statement regarding Israel’s ambitions.
Qassem stated that Israel’s ambition to extend its control over Gaza to 70% constitutes an ethnic cleansing plan, with Zionists merely continuing efforts to displace Palestinians from their land.
He further asserted that Israel’s plan is a clear violation of the ceasefire framework and agreements concerning Gaza.
Hamas has called on countries represented in the Peace Council to take a clear and open position on Israel’s threats and repeated ceasefire violations. The Peace Council is also expected to take practical steps to pressure Israel to halt its occupation of Gaza.
On Thursday, 28 May 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that his military currently controls 60% of Gaza. Unsatisfied with this, he hinted at plans to expand this to 70%.
In October 2025, the Israeli military announced it controlled 53% of Gaza after redeploying to what it called the ‘yellow line’ under the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Palestine.
The arrangement envisaged further Israeli troop withdrawals in subsequent phases of the plan.
On 17 February 2026, Israeli defence chief Katz stated Israel would not move ‘a single millimetre’ from the yellow line until Hamas is disarmed.
The White House announced on 16 January 2026 the adoption of a transitional governance structure for Gaza, including the Peace Council, National Committee for Gaza Administration, and International Stabilisation Force.
The initiative is part of the second phase of Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza and is supported by a UN Security Council resolution adopted in November 2025.
According to the Gaza Media Office, Israeli attacks have killed 922 Palestinians and injured 2,786 since the ceasefire was imposed last October.
Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 2023. To date, Zionist forces have killed over 72,000 Palestinian civilians and injured more than 172,000, with most victims being women and children.