Netanyahu Aims for 70% Control of Gaza, Breaching Trump-Brokered Ceasefire
Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has publicly instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to increase control over the Gaza Strip, Palestine, to 70%. This statement has sparked global concern as it directly violates the ceasefire terms mediated by former US President Donald Trump in October 2025.
During a conference on Thursday, 28 May 2026, Netanyahu revealed that Israeli forces currently control 60% of the territory, up from the previous agreement of 53%.
‘We are pressuring Hamas. We now control 60% of the Gaza Strip. My directive is to move towards 70%. Let’s start with that. We will press them from all sides,’ Netanyahu stated at the conference.
This expansion contradicts the peace points initiated by Trump. Under the October 2025 agreement, the IDF was supposed to withdraw to a demarcation line known as the yellow line, limiting Israeli control to around 53% of Gaza.
Although the ceasefire is technically still in effect, the situation on the ground remains far from peaceful. Gaza’s Health Ministry data shows at least 738 Palestinians killed since the ceasefire began. By 12 May 2026, the total Palestinian casualties reached 72,742, including over 21,000 children.
In the past week, Israel has continued air strikes targeting Hamas leaders. On Wednesday night, an attack in Gaza City killed 10 people, including five children. The Israeli military confirmed the strike targeted Hamas battalion commander Imad Asleem, who died alongside his daughter, Israa.
Additionally, military operations in Khan Younis on Tuesday killed Ihab Khrizim, identified as Hamas’s funds transfer network chief, and Mohammed al-Habash, a weapons production unit commander.
On the political front, Israeli Defence Minister Katz affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring Hamas no longer governs Gaza, both civilly and militarily. However, more controversial is Katz’s statement about a voluntary emigration plan for Gaza residents.
This plan was previously pushed by right-wing ministers such as Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. International critics and legal experts warn that the policy could lead to forced displacement of civilians, classified as a war crime under international law.
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