Netanyahu Orders Military to Seize 70% of Gaza

The claim is supported by multiple high-quality news reports from May 28, 2026. According to reports from CNN, Al-Monitor, and RTÉ, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke at a conference in a West Bank settlement where he explicitly detailed the military's territorial progress and future objectives. He noted that while the October 2025 ceasefire originally placed about 53% of Gaza under Israeli control, the military had already expanded this to 60%. His new directive specifically orders the IDF to increase this footprint to 70%.

This move appears to be part of a broader strategy to establish "buffer zones" within Gaza, which Netanyahu argues are necessary to prevent future attacks. However, this expansion has drawn sharp criticism from international observers and Hamas, who argue it violates the U.S.-brokered truce. The ceasefire was intended to lead to a phased Israeli withdrawal and the disarmament of Hamas, but progress has remained stalled for months.

Evidence from military maps and reports from aid groups suggests that the IDF had already begun moving demarcation lines—specifically the so-called 'yellow line'—prior to this formal announcement. The seizure of 70% of the territory would further compress the approximately 2 million Palestinian residents into an even smaller fraction of the coastal enclave. Additionally, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has reiterated goals of ending Hamas rule and has alluded to plans for the 'voluntary migration' of Gaza's residents, adding further tension to the regional conflict.

Source quality: The report is based on consistent, real-time coverage from reputable international news organizations (CNN, Reuters, RTÉ, and The Times of India) all reporting on the same specific event and quotes from May 28, 2026.