Netanyahu Orders Control of 70% of Gaza, Risking Ceasefire Collapse
Netanyahu Orders Control of 70% of Gaza, Risking Ceasefire Collapse
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu orders military expansion to 70% of Gaza, threatening the fragile ceasefire and worsening the humanitarian crisis as elections loom.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the international community, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to expand its control to 70% of the Gaza Strip. This directive represents a significant departure from the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States back in October, which initially limited Israeli control to roughly 53% of the territory.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a conference at a West Bank settlement, framed against the backdrop of his upcoming re-election campaign. Netanyahu openly stated that the military has already progressed from 50% to 60% control, and his latest order is to "squeeze" further until they reach the 70% mark. This expansion involves pushing forces deeper into areas previously managed by Hamas and establishing a wider "no man's land" where the military claims the right to fire on anyone they perceive as a threat.
The situation on the ground remains incredibly volatile. Even during the eight months of the supposed ceasefire, violence has persisted. Reports indicate that over 900 Palestinians have been killed since the truce began, often due to airstrikes or gunfire near the demarcation lines. Recently, armed militias backed by the military have been seen forcing residents out of their homes and shelters along the ceasefire line, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
Human rights activists are raising the alarm over comments made by Defense Minister Israel Katz. Katz suggested that the ultimate goal is "voluntary migration" for Palestinians living in Gaza. However, critics argue this is a strategy to make living conditions so intolerable that residents have no choice but to leave, a process many describe as a long-term plan for ethnic cleansing.
As the Israeli army continues to advance westward, the future of the ceasefire looks increasingly grim. With elections on the horizon, Netanyahu’s focus on military expansion appears to be a key part of his political survival strategy, despite the potentially catastrophic consequences for the millions of people living in the devastated territory.
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