Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to bring 70% of the Gaza Strip under Israeli control, a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict. The announcement was made during a ceremony in the West Bank, marking a major shift in Israel’s military strategy.

Currently, Israel controls about 60% of Gaza, and the plan is to gradually increase that to 70%. Netanyahu stated that military operations will continue until Hamas is completely eliminated. This move comes despite ongoing indirect ceasefire negotiations, raising concerns that it could derail peace efforts.

Hamas has accused Israel of blatantly violating the ceasefire agreement reached in October. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that nearly a thousand Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire was declared. As Israeli forces advance, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are being forced to flee into increasingly narrow safe zones.

Beyond Gaza, Israel has intensified attacks in southern Lebanon, launching over 120 airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in recent days. The Israeli military has declared large parts of southern Lebanon a war zone and ordered residents to evacuate northward. The international community is deeply concerned as both Gaza and Lebanon face widespread destruction.