Netanyahu seeks 70% Israeli control of Gaza, Hamas warns of ethnic cleansing

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to expand the area of Gaza under Israeli control from the 53 percent stipulated in the October cease‑fire agreement to roughly 70 percent in the early phase of the truce. Hamas denounced the proposal as a dangerous programme of ethnic cleansing and forced displacement of Palestinians, saying it has no legal basis. Gaza authorities echoed the condemnation, calling any attempt to impose a new reality illegal. Israel has already increased its controlled zone to about 64 percent, while fighting and humanitarian shortages continue amid limited aid access.

The statement comes as international attention remains focused on the broader Israel‑Iran conflict, with the Gaza cease‑fire still fragile after more than eight months of intermittent hostilities.