Netanyahu orders military to seize 70 of Gaza, escalating occupation amid global outcry
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders military to seize 70% of Gaza’s territory, escalating occupation despite international condemnation and humanitarian warnings. At a leadership conference in Israel on Thursday, Netanyahu confirmed the directive, revealing plans to expand control from the current 60% to 70%—and hinting at a potential full occupation. "First of all, 70. Let’s start with that," he told an audience that chanted for 100%. The move would confine over 2 million Palestinians to less than a third of the already overcrowded Strip, deepening what aid groups warn is a looming catastrophe.
Netanyahu’s announcement defies U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire, with the White House yet to respond publicly. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has referred Israel’s treatment of Gaza activists to judicial authorities, accusing Israeli forces of excessive violence—a claim Israel denies. Meanwhile, Palestinian officials report at least 10 deaths, including five children, in overnight airstrikes on Gaza City, with Shifa Hospital documenting over 20 injuries.
The escalation in Gaza coincides with a parallel offensive in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have crossed the Litani River for the first time in years, advancing toward Beirut and the Bekaa Valley. Netanyahu framed the move as a response to Hezbollah threats, even as UNICEF reports an average of 11 Lebanese children killed or injured daily. The U.S. hosted Israeli and Lebanese defense officials in Washington on Friday to revive a stalled peace plan, but Netanyahu’s actions suggest a strategy of unilateral expansion. A senior diplomat from the Trump-appointed Board of Peace blamed Hamas for stalling ceasefire talks, though critics argue Israel’s territorial ambitions undermine negotiations.
With Netanyahu asserting control over Gaza’s future "regardless of Trump’s plans," the conflict enters a new phase. The U.N. and humanitarian agencies warn that further occupation will trigger mass displacement and famine, while Israel’s military insists it is acting to "crush" Hamas. The coming days may test whether U.S. leverage—historically Israel’s strongest restraint—can curb Netanyahu’s expansionist push.
Netanyahu orders military to seize 70 of Gaza, escalating occupation amid global outcry
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The Guardian view on Israel and Gaza: the threat of further humanitarian catastrophe | Editorial As Donald Trump looks for peace with Iran, Benjamin Netanyahus government escalates elsewhere – and Europe stands byHell do whatever I want him to do, said Donald Trump, addressing his discussions with Benjamin Netanyahu over their illegal war on Iran. The US president said on Friday that he was making his final determination on a deal – of sorts – with Tehran. As chief ally, funder and arms supplier for Israel, the US can rein in its prime minister. But with his hands tied on Iran, Mr Netanyahu seems bent on rekindling war elsewhere. Israels brutal escalation in Lebanon may be an attempt to gain ground while it can, or perhaps to destabilise the Iran peace initiative. The prospects for Gaza are grimmer.As Mr Trump talks up a new peace deal in the Middle East, Mr Netanyahu is trashing Mr Trumps last effort. Israel this week killed another Hamas military chief, but this war has failed in its stated aim of destroying the group, while visiting untold horror on civilians. Israeli forces have expanded far beyond the half of territory they agreed to hold, attack Palestinians in an undefined zone around their positions and carry out airstrikes deeper into Gaza. Yet Nickolay Mladenov, the top diplomat for the Trump-appointed Board of Peace, has blamed Hamas for the stalling of the purported ceasefire. Now Mr Netanyahu says he has ordered the military to take control of 70 of Gaza. That would force more than 2 million Palestinians into less than a third of what was already overcrowded territory. Continue reading...
theguardian · 9 days ago
Israeli forces cross key Lebanon river in expanded ground offensive Israeli forces have advanced to positions north of Lebanons Litani River, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday, as Israel escalates attacks against Hezbollah militants after warning thousands more Lebanese to flee their villages. The Israeli advance came as the US military hosted Israeli and Lebanese defence representatives in Washington on Friday to pursue a US-brokered plan to forge peace between the two countries and disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah.
france24 · 9 days ago
#BREAKING 🇮🇱❌🇵🇸 - During a conference in the Ein Prat Leadership Academy in Israel yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his directive is to increase the occupation of Gaza onto 70 of Its territory, from the current 60. Following a comment by an audience member, Netanyahu expressed the will to steadily increase the occupation up to 100 of Gaza. 📝 Transcript [click to expand]: Netanyahu: So, we are in a process where our power, we can leverage our power in several directions. If there is a need to crush Hezbollah. We are currently striking Hamas, yes. We are now at 60 of the territory of the Strip. You know, we were at 50. We moved to 60. My directive is to move to..." The audience then calls out: "100! 100!" He chuckles and responds: "Go in order. First of all, 70. Lets start with that. We are striking them from all directions, and we will handle the rest."
telegram bot · 9 days ago
Benjamin Netanjahu potvrdil postup izraelských síl za rieku Lítání Izraelská armáda po týždňoch bojov prekročila rieku Lítání a postupuje hlbšie do Libanonu. Netanjahu hlási údery až v Bejrúte a údolí Bikáa.
aktuality.sk · 9 days ago
Gaza-Aktivisten: Frankreich schaltet nach Gewalt Israels gegen Aktivisten Justiz ein Frankreichs Außenminister hat wegen des umstrittenen Vorgehens Israels gegen Gaza-Aktivisten die Justiz eingeschaltet. Israel bestreitet die Gewaltvorwürfe.
die zeit · 9 days ago
V Libanone zomiera alebo je zranených denne 11 detí, upozorňuje UNICEF UNICEF hlási v Libanone denne jedenásť zabitých či zranených detí. Izrael medzitým rozširuje operácie aj počas oficiálne platného prímeria.
aktuality.sk · 9 days ago
Izraelské jednotky prekročili rieku Lítání v južnom Libanone, uviedol Benjamin Netanjahu Izraelská armáda po týždňoch bojov prekročila rieku Lítání a postupuje hlbšie do Libanonu. Netanjahu hlási údery až v Bejrúte a údolí Bikáa.
aktuality.sk · 9 days ago
Gaza-Aktivisten: Wegen Gewalt gegen Gaza-Aktivisten französische Justiz eingeschaltet Frankreichs Außenminister hat wegen des umstrittenen Vorgehens Israels gegen Gaza-Aktivisten die Justiz eingeschaltet. Israel bestreitet die Gewaltvorwürfe.
die zeit · 9 days ago
UNICEF: V Libanone bolo za posledný týždeň denne zabitých alebo zranených 11 detí UNICEF hlási v Libanone denne jedenásť zabitých či zranených detí. Izrael medzitým rozširuje operácie aj počas oficiálne platného prímeria.
aktuality.sk · 9 days ago
Netanyahu wint de strijd om de toekomst van Gaza van Trump De Israëlische premier kondigde donderdag aan dat Israël 70 procent van Gaza zal innemen. Dat strookt in het geheel niet met de plannen van de Amerikaanse president. Maar diens Vredesraad is een lege huls.
nrc · 9 days ago
Netanyahu: Israel har gått över floden Litani Israels premiärminister Benjamin Netanyahu säger att israelisk militär har gått över floden Litani, som tidigare varit den informella gräns i södra Libanon för israelisk närvaro.
svenska dagbladet · 9 days ago
Palestinians mourn 10 killed in Eid strikes as Netanyahu vows wider control of Gaza Dozens of Palestinians in Gaza City gathered on Thursday for funeral prayers for 10 people killed in Israeli strikes the night before, including five children and an elderly person, as well as a Hamas militant. More than 20 people were injured in the strikes, according to Shifa Hospital. Video from the scene showed flames pouring from an upper-floor window of a building, while bystanders rushed to carry wounded people, including children, to ambulances.
france24 · 9 days ago