Kochi: Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has been
directed by Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu to increase control of Gaza to 70%.
Speaking at a conference on Thursday, Netanyahu said Israel has increased the control from 50 per cent to 60 percent. Israel wanted to go step by step, he said.
Israel continues strikes on Gaza despite the October 2025 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remaining deadlocked.
At least 738 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire came into effect.
The proposal under the 20-point peace proposal aimed at disarming Hamas and Israeli troops withdraw.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz wrote on X that his country had “pledged to eliminate everyone who led the October 7 massacre” in 2023…We pledged that Hamas will not rule Gaza civilly or militarily,” he said.
The 2023 Hamas-led attack killed
at least 1,200 people and abduction of 250 others
This triggered the Gaza war with Israel launching a massive military campaign in Gaza, which reduced much of the Palestinian territory to ruins.
A total of 2,742 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, and 172,565 injured as of 12 May 2026, according to its Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures the UN considers reliable.
Israel expands in Gaza
