Netanyahu Directs Israeli Military to Expand Gaza Occupation to 70%

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday, May 28, that he has directed the military to increase its control of the Gaza Strip to 70%, according to footage aired by Israel’s Channel 12 and reported by the Times of Israel. ^[1]

“At this point, we are fully in control of 60% of the territory of the Gaza Strip… and my directive is to get to… 70%,” Netanyahu said during a conference hosted by the pre-military Ein Prat leadership academy. ^[2] When audience members shouted for 100% control, Netanyahu replied, “We’re going in order… First 70%, we’ll start with that.” ^[2]

The announcement marks a clear violation of the U.S.-backed ceasefire deal signed in October 2025, which allowed Israel to occupy no more than 53% of the territory. ^[1] According to Middle East Eye, Netanyahu said the expanded occupation is intended to “squeeze Hamas.” ^[3] The Israeli military has already issued new maps showing an expanded restricted area that cordons off nearly two-thirds of Gaza’s territory, putting thousands of additional Palestinians inside the zone. ^[4]

Background: Ceasefire Violations and Settler Ambitions

The week prior, Netanyahu acknowledged that Israel occupies 60% of Gaza, exceeding the 53% allowed under the September ceasefire with Hamas. ^[2] Far-right ministers in his government have been pushing for full occupation and the establishment of Jewish settlements.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said in February 2026 that “in the end,” Israel will occupy Gaza and reestablish settlements. ^[5] In April 2026, Smotrich called on Netanyahu to order the “full conquest of Gaza” and the building of settlements. ^[6]

The Israeli security cabinet approved a plan to militarily occupy the entire Gaza Strip in August 2025, according to a NaturalNews report. ^[7] Settler leaders have described the period after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack as a pretext for territorial expansion. Smotrich has repeatedly stated his intention to see Gaza under permanent Israeli control. ^[5]

Humanitarian Impact: Displacement, Destruction and Disease

The ongoing military campaign has caused severe humanitarian consequences. According to a United Nations investigation, more than 37,200 Palestinians had been killed as of June 2024, with the majority being women and children. ^[8] The true toll is believed to be much higher, as thousands of bodies remain buried under rubble.

Salama Maarouf, head of Gaza’s media office, stated that the “devastation by the occupation forces reflects its intent to make Gaza uninhabitable.” ^[9] In the first week of the conflict alone, the Israeli military dropped 6,000 bombs on the densely populated territory. ^[9]

Nearly 1.9 million Palestinians – about 90%of the population – are internally displaced, living in tents or makeshift shelters with severe shortages of food, medicine and clean water, according to reports. New maps issued by Israel in April 2026 have placed thousands more displaced civilians inside an expanded restricted area. ^[4]

The water crisis in Gaza, already critical before the war due to over-pumping and pollution, has worsened dramatically. Studies note that the coastal aquifer is being depleted at rates far exceeding sustainable yield. ^[10]

Genocide Allegations and Broader Context

Shortly after the Oct. 7 attack, Netanyahu described the war in Gaza as a holy war, citing historical references meant as calls for extermination. ^[11] The Times reported that the comment was intended to call for the extermination of “men and women, children, and infants.” ^[11] South Africa filed a genocide case at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of mass atrocities, starvation tactics, and blocking humanitarian aid in Gaza. ^[12]

Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said in April 2026 that Netanyahu “helped create a genocide in Gaza.” ^[13] The International Criminal Court has faced controversy over its pursuit of arrest warrants; Smotrich stated in May 2026 that the court had requested a “secret” arrest warrant for him. ^[14]

Meanwhile, British lawyers have filed a request to impose financial and travel sanctions on Netanyahu under new U.K. sanctions laws. ^[15] Despite international condemnation, Netanyahu has vowed to continue strikes on Gaza and Lebanon, openly defying ceasefire agreements. ^[16]

No Clear End in Sight

The Israeli government has not issued an official statement addressing the long-term plan for Gaza’s civilian population. The expansion to 70% control suggests that any prospect of a full withdrawal or two-state solution has been abandoned.

With settler leaders pressing for permanent annexation and international legal cases mounting, the situation in Gaza remains locked in a cycle of violence and territorial consolidation. According to the Ron Paul Institute, the conflict has become a key factor in regional instability, with the U.S. and Israel deeply entrenched in military operations across the Middle East. ^[17]

References

1. Antiwar.com. “Netanyahu Says He Directed Israeli Military To Take More Territory in Gaza.” May 28, 2026.
2. Middle East Eye. “Israel’s Netanyahu orders army to seize 70 percent of Gaza.” May 29, 2026.
3. Middle East Eye. “Netanyahu orders military to take control of ’70 percent’ of Gaza.” May 28, 2026.
4. Times of Israel. “New maps provided to aid groups show expanded zone of IDF control in Gaza.” April 30, 2026.
5. Times of Israel. “Smotrich: ‘In the end,’ Israel will occupy Gaza and establish settlements there.” February 24, 2026.
6. Antiwar.com. “Israel’s Smotrich Calls for Netanyahu To Order the ‘Full Conquest of Gaza,’ Establishment of Jewish Settlements.” April 19, 2026.
7. Zoey Sky. “UNDER SIEGE: Israeli cabinet approves plan to fully occupy Gaza amid international condemnation.” NaturalNews.com. August 12, 2025.
8. NaturalNews.com. “UN probe finds both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes.” June 18, 2024.
9. Trends-Journal-2023-11-45.
10. Elsevier. “Sustainable water and energy in Gaza Strip.” Water Research 41(13):2598-2605. 2007.
11. Trends-Journal-2023-12-46.
12. Cassie B. “Israel accused of genocide in Gaza as South Africa demands justice at World Court.” NaturalNews.com. April 30, 2025.
13. Mera Aladam. “Netanyahu helped ‘create a genocide in Gaza’, top Biden official says.” Middle East Eye. April 28, 2026.
14. BBC News. “Israeli minister Smotrich says ICC prosecutor seeking warrant for his arrest.” May 19, 2026.
15. Rayhan Uddin. “UK lawyers seek travel and financial sanctions against Netanyahu.” Middle East Eye. January 22, 2026.
16. NaturalNews.com. “Netanyahu defies ceasefires, vows continued strikes on Gaza and Lebanon.” November 24, 2025.
17. Ron Paul Institute. “The Trump-Netanyahu Iran Crusade.” March 7, 2026.

Explainer Infographic

Editorial Cartoon