Netanyahu orders Israeli army to take control of 70% of Gaza Strip

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a conference held in one of the Israeli settlements in the Jordan Valley that he had instructed the Israeli army to take control of 70 percent of the Gaza Strip's area.

Netanyahu explained that Israeli forces currently control about 60 percent of the Gaza Strip's territory, noting that the percentage has gradually increased from 50 to 60 percent, and that current instructions mandate reaching 70 percent, according to Channel 12 Israel.

This comes amid ongoing tension between Israel and Hamas, despite the ceasefire agreement announced after the war that broke out on October 7, 2023.

Israeli airstrikes continued in various areas of the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire period, while Israel accuses Hamas of trying to rebuild its military capabilities, whereas Hamas asserts that the Israeli attacks aim to undermine the agreement and escalate tensions.

The war left widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip and resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, amid ongoing disputes regarding the future administration of the Gaza and the issue of Hamas's weapons in the upcoming stages of the agreement.

ANHA