Israel's push to occupy 70% of Gaza escalates humanitarian crisis

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a goal to occupy 70% of the Gaza Strip, a move that contradicts the cease‑fire agreement reached in October 2025. The statement comes amid intensified Israeli military actions that have killed dozens of civilians in Gaza and southern Lebanon and expanded settlement activity in the occupied West Bank.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is highlighted for its long‑standing role in preserving the collective memory of the Palestinian people. Since its creation in 1949, UNRWA has compiled family registration files that document displacement, births, deaths and the historical ties of refugees to their original homes, providing both humanitarian aid and a vital historical record.

The developments have drawn international criticism, with concerns that the proposed expansion of Israeli control could further displace Palestinian communities and worsen an already severe humanitarian situation in Gaza.