Jerusalem, May 28: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday announced plans to expand Israel’s military control over the Gaza Strip to nearly 70 per cent, marking another major escalation in the ongoing conflict that has devastated the Palestinian enclave and displaced almost its entire population.

Speaking at a conference in the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu said Israeli forces had already increased their territorial control in Gaza from 50 per cent to around 60 per cent and would continue advancing “step by step”.

“We are now in 60 per cent of the territory of the Gaza Strip. We were at 50 per cent, we moved to 60 per cent,” Netanyahu said. “My directive is to move to — take it step by step — first of all 70. Let’s start with that.”

His remarks were met with cheers from sections of the audience, with some attendees calling for Israel to take full control of Gaza.

According to maps previously shared by the Israeli military with international aid organisations, Israeli forces were already controlling nearly 64 per cent of Gaza by late April. Any further expansion could significantly reduce the remaining habitable areas available to nearly two million Palestinians living in the territory.

Much of Gaza has already suffered extensive destruction after months of air strikes, ground offensives and urban warfare between Israeli forces and Hamas.

Under the October 2025 ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Hamas, Israeli troops had withdrawn to a military perimeter referred to as the “yellow line”, covering approximately 53 per cent of Gaza.

However, Hamas recently accused Israel of quietly advancing that military boundary deeper into the enclave, alleging that the move violated the ceasefire agreement and amounted to imposing “new facts on the ground by force”.

The Palestinian group warned that continued expansion of Israeli military control could further undermine already fragile efforts toward de-escalation.

Israel, meanwhile, has maintained that sustained military pressure is necessary to weaken Hamas and prevent future attacks.

The developments in Gaza came amid rising tensions on another front, with Israel also expanding operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah.

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On Wednesday, the Israeli military declared a large section of southern Lebanon a “combat zone” and ordered civilians to evacuate north of the Zahrani River, around 40 kilometres from the Israeli border.

Israeli military officials said troops would operate “with great force” against Hezbollah positions and infrastructure inside the designated area.

The warning followed more than 120 Israeli strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon earlier this week despite a ceasefire announced in April.

According to Reuters, residents began fleeing towards the coastal city of Sidon as the latest evacuation unfolded during Eid al-Adha celebrations in Lebanon.