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Netanyahu Orders IDF to Expand Control Over Gaza to 70 Percent

Israel continues its mission to dismantle Hamas, pushing deeper into the Strip despite international hand-wringing over ceasefire terms.

Foreign PolicyPublished May 29, 2026 at 2:24 AMProcessed May 29, 2026 at 6:34 AM
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a ceremony commemorating Israel’s Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doubling down on Israel’s security, confirming he has ordered the Israel Defense Forces to expand their control of Gaza to 70 percent of the territory.

Speaking at a conference, Netanyahu made it clear that the objective remains the systematic dismantling of Hamas, stating, 'We’re pressing them from all sides, we’ll deal with the remnants.' This strategic push marks a significant escalation from the 60 percent control currently held by Israeli forces.

While critics point to the October 2025 ceasefire agreement, Israel remains focused on its existential necessity to ensure that Hamas can never again rule Gaza, either civilly or militarily. Defense Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed this resolve, emphasizing that the state is committed to eliminating those responsible for the October 7 massacre.

The IDF continues to conduct precision strikes against high-value targets, including the recent elimination of Hamas battalion commander Imad Asleem and Mohammed Odeh, the newly appointed head of the Hamas military wing. These operations are essential to dismantling the terror infrastructure that has held the region hostage.

Despite the noise from international bodies and the unreliable casualty figures provided by the Hamas-run health ministry, Israel is acting within its right to self-defense to ensure the total neutralization of a genocidal enemy that launched an unprovoked war in 2023.

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