Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that he has instructed the Israeli military to increase its presence in Gaza, with an initial target of seizing 70 percent of the Palestinian territory. The region, which is currently densely populated and confined to a narrow strip along the coast, is already under significant Israeli control, estimated at around 64 percent following a two-year military campaign in response to a 2023 attack by Hamas.
Despite a failed U.S.-brokered truce in October, Israeli forces were supposed to retreat to a designated “Yellow Line” marking their jurisdiction, which initially encompassed approximately 53 percent of Gaza, leaving Hamas in charge of the rest. However, recent reports indicate that Israel unilaterally shifted the Yellow Line’s boundaries deeper into Hamas-controlled areas, effectively cordoning off roughly 64 percent of Gaza according to military maps from March.
Netanyahu, speaking at a settlement in the West Bank, stated that Israeli forces currently control over 60 percent of Gaza and emphasized plans to further expand their presence. He outlined a step-by-step approach, aiming to reach 70 percent control initially to exert pressure on Hamas from various directions before addressing any remaining challenges.
Describing the seized territories in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon as “buffer zones” against potential militant threats after the 2023 Hamas-led assault, Netanyahu’s directive has raised concerns among Palestinians who view the expanding buffer zone as a tactic to displace them permanently. This strategy aligns with statements by senior Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, who have hinted at promoting “voluntary migration” from Gaza.
As Israel intensifies its offensive in Gaza, targeting senior Hamas figures linked to the 2023 attacks, recent airstrikes have resulted in casualties, including the killing of Hamas’s military chief and other leaders. Amid escalating violence, a strike on Wednesday claimed the lives of at least 10 individuals, including five children, during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, as many gathered in makeshift shelters and damaged structures to celebrate the occasion.
The ongoing conflict has seen a significant loss of life, with over 900 Palestinians reportedly killed since the failed truce, while Israel states that four soldiers lost their lives during the same period due to militant actions. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas to advance a U.S.-proposed plan for Gaza, involving Israeli troop withdrawal and Hamas disarmament, have stalled. The situation on the ground remains volatile, with residents expressing fears for their safety amidst the unpredictable and widespread violence in the region.
