Israel expands military control in Gaza to 70%, violating ceasefire and displacing Palestinians
Consensus Summary
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to seize 70% of the Gaza Strip, escalating control from the current 60-64% and violating a US-brokered ceasefire that initially placed Israel in charge of 53% of the territory. Both sources confirm the expansion threatens humanitarian conditions for Gazaâs 2.2 million Palestinians, already crowded into a devastated strip of land. Israeli-backed militias are displacing residents near the 'yellow line' demarcation, with forced evacuations reported in southern Gaza. Since the October 2025 truce, over 900 Palestinians have been killed, and Israel has continued airstrikes and ground advances, despite ceasefire terms. Defense Minister Israel Katzâs remarks about 'voluntary migration' align with accusations of ethnic cleansing by human rights groups. The UN and Trump administrationâs peace plan, which included a temporary division of Gaza, are now being undermined by Israelâs actions. Hamas has conditioned disarmament talks on Israelâs withdrawal to the original 'yellow line' and cessation of hostilities, but negotiations appear stalled. Both articles highlight the collapse of the ceasefire framework, with the US reportedly shifting to a reconstruction-focused plan in Israeli-controlled zones.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israeli army to seize 70% of the Gaza Strip, up from the current ~60-64% control (with ABC citing 64% and Guardian citing 60%+).
- The US-brokered October 2025 ceasefire initially placed Israel in control of 53% of Gaza, with Hamas controlling the remaining 47%.
- Since the ceasefire, Israeli forces have advanced westward into Hamas-controlled territory, declaring a 'no manâs land' where they control entry and can open fire on perceived threats.
- Israel has killed over 900 Palestinians in Gaza since the ceasefire began, according to Palestinian health officials.
- Israelâs Defense Minister Israel Katz stated the governmentâs goal is to encourage 'voluntary migration' of Palestinians from Gaza, which human rights activists describe as ethnic cleansing.
- The expansion of Israeli control would violate the October ceasefire, UN Security Council resolutions, and the Trump 20-point peace plan, which outlined a temporary 'yellow line' dividing Gaza.
- Netanyahu made the 70% directive during a speech at a conference in an occupied West Bank settlement on May 28, 2026.
- Israeli-backed militias, including one led by Gaza warlord Ashraf al-Mansi, have been active in pushing Palestinians west of the 'yellow line' and attacking Hamas.
- The UN Security Council passed a November 2025 resolution delegating ceasefire monitoring to a Trump-appointed Board of Peace, led by Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov.
- Hamas has signaled willingness to discuss disarmament only if Israel fulfills ceasefire obligations, including halting bombardment and withdrawing to the original 'yellow line'.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Muhammad Shehada, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, stated Netanyahu is declaring the Trump deal framework for Gaza 'null and void'.
- Wael Nayef Abu al-Ajeen, a 26-year-old Gaza resident, described being forced to evacuate his home by militiamen with a 9-hour deadline.
- Nasser Khdour, a researcher at the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, noted militias are killing, arresting, and kidnapping civilians near the 'yellow line'.
- Gershon Baskin, an Israeli analyst, claimed the original ceasefire plan has collapsed and the US is now focusing on reconstruction in the Israeli-controlled 'green zone' with vetted Palestinian movement.
- A UN briefing on May 26, 2026, reported daily Israeli tank advancements in Jabalia and Khan Younis, with drones targeting movement near the 'yellow line'.
- The Trump peace plan explicitly stated: 'No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return.'
- Israel has unilaterally moved concrete blocks marking the 'yellow line' deeper into Hamas-controlled territory, with military maps in March showing control over ~64% of Gaza.
- Netanyahu described seized territories in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon as 'buffer zones' to prevent future militant attacks.
- An Israeli strike on May 28, 2026, during Eid al-Adha celebrations killed at least 10 Palestinians, including five children, according to Gaza health officials.
- A Palestinian witness, Etidal Al-Za'im, described rubble from an Israeli strike collapsing on her familyâs tent during Eid celebrations.
- Another witness, Abu Azam, stated: 'A person in Gaza has no safety at all. He could be hit in the street, in the house, in the hospital, or on his way to the market.'
- Israel claims four soldiers were killed by militants since the ceasefire began.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Israel currently controls 60% of Gaza, while ABC reports Israel controls 64% (with Reuters citing 64% in ABCâs article).
- The Guardian attributes the 900+ Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire to Israeli forces, while ABC does not specify the cause of deaths beyond 'Israeli strikes'.
- The Guardian describes the Trump peace plan as including a 'yellow line' pending further negotiations, while ABC frames it as a temporary withdrawal line for Israeli troops.
- The Guardian emphasizes Hamasâs readiness to discuss disarmament if Israel fulfills ceasefire obligations, while ABC suggests Hamas has not responded to a US disarmament offer.
- ABC notes Israel has killed Hamasâs armed wing chief twice in 10 days, but the Guardian does not mention this specific timeline for Hamas leadership killings.
Source Articles
Netanyahu orders Israeli army to seize â70% of Gaza Stripâ, violating ceasefire deal
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