UN Criticises Israel's Plan to Expand Control Over Gaza to 70%

The United Nations (UN) on Friday condemned Israel’s plan to expand its control over Gaza to 70%, stating that all Palestinian territories should remain the right of the Palestinian people. ‘100% of Gaza must belong to the Palestinian people,’ said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York. Dujarric reiterated that the UN consistently calls on Israel to withdraw its troops from occupied areas along the Green Line. ‘That is what we want to see, and we have called on Israel to withdraw from its occupation along what is called the Green Line, and this will remain our position,’ Dujarric said. The statement came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that his country currently controls around 60% of Gaza. Netanyahu also hinted at the possibility of expanding Israeli-controlled territory to 70%, though he did not detail the mechanism or steps to achieve this. Previously, the Israeli military stated in October last year that it controlled about 53% of Gaza after repositioning troops in the area known as the Green Line. The policy was part of the first stage of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza conflict. Under this scheme, the second stage, which began in January, includes plans for further Israeli troop withdrawals from certain areas. The Green Line is a temporary demarcation zone in eastern Gaza, serving as the boundary between areas under Israeli military control and those still inhabited by Palestinians. However, Palestinian sources claim the boundary has been shifting westward in recent months. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told Anadolu that Israel has moved the line further into Gaza by 8-9%. According to Naim, this shift has pushed Israeli-controlled areas beyond 60% of Gaza’s total territory. A Gaza Peace Council envoy stated that Hamas could remain a Palestinian political force if it disarms and abandons military activities. Turkey’s airspace is currently closed to Israeli officials and aircraft carrying weapons. Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian revealed that the implementation of peace plans for Gaza is facing serious obstacles. President Prabowo Subianto emphasised the need for closer coordination between Indonesia and Jordan in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank. South Africa expelled Israeli envoy Ariel Seidman over allegations of sovereignty violations. Israel retaliated by expelling South African diplomat Shaun Byneveldt within 72 hours. Israel has officially severed ties with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres after the UN added Israel to a blacklist for sexual violence in conflict zones. The UN and UNICEF warned that Netanyahu’s plan to expand control over Gaza to 70% would worsen health crises and children’s suffering. Netanyahu confirmed Israeli troops have crossed the Litani River in Lebanon amid security talks between military delegations in Washington. UNICEF reported 15 children killed and 62 injured in Lebanon over the past week due to ceasefire violations between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explicitly ordered the military to seize 70% of Gaza.