• Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu directs military to expand control of Gaza to 70%.
• Current control is approximately 60% despite an October ceasefire agreement.
• The directive reflects an escalation in military actions against Hamas.
• Israeli strikes have reportedly killed over 900 Palestinians since the ceasefire began.
• Concerns rise over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli violations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on May 28 that he has directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to increase control over the Gaza Strip to 70%. He stated, "At this point, we are fully in control of 60% of the territory of the Gaza Strip,” during a conference, emphasizing the military's strategy of "squeezing Hamas" from all sides, according to Le Monde, India Times, and Al Jazeera.

This directive directly contradicts the terms of an October U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which had stipulated that Israeli forces would withdraw to specific borders known as the "Yellow Line." Initially expected to maintain control over 53%, Israel's military now claims to control around 64% of Gaza, moving deeper for strategic reasons, according to analysis from Reuters and South China Morning Post.

The Israeli military has also intensified its operations in recent days, reportedly killing Mohammed Odeh, the head of Hamas's armed wing, along with several others, contributing to the death toll of over 900 Palestinians since the ceasefire began. This ongoing violence includes air strikes that have destroyed residential areas and caused significant civilian casualties, as reported by health ministries in Gaza and corroborated by accounts from BBC and Middle East Eye.

Palestinian officials have expressed concerns that Israel’s expanding control is a calculated move to displace citizens further, reflecting sentiments from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz about implementing plans for voluntary migration from Gaza. International observers have condemned these remarks, interpreting them as indicative of a potential ethnic cleansing strategy, as noted by Channel News Asia and various humanitarian organizations.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating, with ongoing restrictions on aid and supplies. Reports indicate severe shortages of essential resources, exacerbated by the continuing violence and structural damage from Israeli attacks, as detailed by the UN and other monitoring organizations, according to Middle East Eye and Le Monde.