Netanyahu orders Israeli military to expand control over 70% of Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the country’s military to expand its control over 70 per cent of the Gaza Strip, signaling a further escalation of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the enclave.

Speaking in a video aired Thursday (May 28) on Israel’s Channel 12, Netanyahu said Israeli forces currently maintain “full control” over around 60 percent of Gaza and have now been directed to increase that figure.

“Our instruction is to move to 70 per cent,” Netanyahu said. “We were at 50 per cent, now we have reached 60 per cent. First, we need to get to 70 per cent.”

During the discussion, a participant reportedly called for Israel to take control of the entire Gaza Strip. Netanyahu did not dismiss the possibility outright, instead indicating that the operation was advancing in phases.

According to Al Jazeera, maps previously shared by the Israeli military with international aid agencies in mid-March showed Israeli forces extending control beyond earlier designated boundaries.

Those maps indicated that nearly 64 per cent of Gaza had come under Israeli control, compared with approximately 53 per cent previously.