Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli military to expand its territorial hold in Gaza, targeting the seizure of 70% of the enclave. This directive comes amid a broader escalation of hostilities involving both Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The Shift from the 53% Yellow Line to a 70% Target

The directive to seize 70% of the Palestinian territory represents a significant departure from previous diplomatic frameworks. According to the report, a US-brokered agreement intended to end over two years of conflict had established a "Yellow Line," which would have limited Israeli control to approximately 53% of the Gaza Strip. However, as the source notes, progress on the next stage of that deal has stalled, leading the Israeli government to unilaterally expand its footprint.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already claimed in public statements that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) currently control more than 60% of the territory. By pushing for 70%, the Israeli administration is effectively moving the goalposts of the conflict, transitioning from a targeted counter-insurgency operation to a wider territorial occupation of the ruins of Gaza.

Buffer Zones and Israel Katz's 'Voluntary Migration' Strategy

The expansion of control is being framed by the Israeli government as the creation of "buffer zones" intended to prevent future militant attacks. These zones are not limited to Gaza; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has applied similar logic to territories seized in Syria and Lebanon. This strategy suggests a regional approach to security that prioritizes physical distance and territorial barriers over diplomatic settlements.

This territorial expansion is viewed with deep suspicion by Palestinians, who see it as a precursor to permanent displacement. The report highlights remarks from senior Israeli officials, including defence chief Israel Katz, who has spoken about encouraging "voluntary migration" from the Gaza Strip. When combined with the seizure of 70% of the land, these statements suggest a policy of making the enclave uninhabitable to force the population outward.

The Killing of Mohammed Odeh and the Eid al-Adha Toll

While territorial gains are the strategic focus, the tactical operation continues to target high-value Hamas assets. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet recently confirmed a joint operation to eliminate Mohammed Odeh, the chief of Hamas' armed wing. this strike followed months of intelligence surveillance and targeted buildings in the heart of Gaza City that served as hideouts for Odeh and his assistants.

However, these precision strikes often result in significant collateral damage. Gaza health officials report that a strike on Wednesday night, which Israel claimed targeted two Hamas leaders, killed at least 10 people, including five children. This particular attack occurred during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, a time when displaced Palestinians were gathered in tent encampments and damaged buildings, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis.

120 Strikes and the New Southern Lebanon Combat Zone

The escalation is not confined to the Palestinian territories. On Tuesday, Israel launched more than 120 strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, despite a ceasefire that had been announced on April 16. this surge in violence indicates that the Israeli military is operating on multiple fronts simultaneously, treating the borders of Gaza and Lebanon as a single, contiguous security theater.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have now declared a new section of southern Lebanon a combat zone, warning residents to move north. By threatening to act "with great force" against Hezbollah in this zone, the Israeli military is mirroring the "buffer zone" strategy employed in Gaza , signaling that the current administration is prepared to ignore previous ceasefires to establish new security perimeters.

The Deadlock Over Hamas Disarmament and the US Plan

Despite the military momentum, a critical diplomatic void remains.. Israel and Hamas are currently deadlocked regarding a US-led plan that would require the disarmament of Hamas in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal. the report leaves several key questions unanswered: it remains unclear if the United States is still actively brokering this specific plan or if the "Yellow Line" framework has been completely abandoned by Washington.

Furthermore,the source does not clarify how Israel intends to govern the 70% of the territory it seeks to seize. With the enclave reduced to ruins and the population facing displacement, the lack of a clear administrative transition plan suggests that the current objective is purely military rather than political.