Netanyahu, speaking at a conference in an occupied West Bank settlement amid growing political pressure ahead of upcoming elections, outlined the expansion plans.
“We are currently squeezing Hamas. We now control 60% of the territory in the strip. You know, we were at 50, we moved to 60. My directive is to move to… 70%,” he said.
Under the US-brokered ceasefire reached in October, the Israeli regime’s forces withdrew to a demarcation line that left the Israeli regime in direct control of 53% of Gaza, Al Mayadeen reported.
Since then, Israeli troops have continued to advance westward into unoccupied areas, while expanding what it claims is a buffer zone in which movement is restricted and force can be used against "threats". Many civilians have been killed just for being close to the zone.
In recent months, Israeli-backed armed militias have also played a role in clearing areas along the ceasefire line, threatening residents to leave their homes and shelters.
Despite the truce, Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on Palestinians near the so-called “yellow line” and carried out airstrikes deeper inside western Gaza, killing more around 900 people since the ceasefire began.
The expansion of Israeli regime would violate the October ceasefire agreement, a UN Security Council resolution supporting it, and elements of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, which established the “yellow line” dividing Gaza into separate Israeli-occupied and Palestinian zones pending further negotiations.
According to humanitarian monitoring, Israeli forces have continued expanding their operational zones during the ceasefire period, with intensified restrictions and repeated incidents along the dividing line.