Netanyahu orders Israeli army to seize ‘70% of Gaza Strip’, violating ceasefire deal

Key Points:

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli army to seize control of 70% of the Gaza Strip, escalating tensions and threatening the fragile ceasefire brokered by the US in October.
• Since the ceasefire, Israeli forces have expanded their control from 53% to 60% of Gaza, with plans to push further west into Hamas-controlled areas, displacing Palestinian residents and creating severe humanitarian challenges.
• Israeli-backed militias have been actively forcing residents near the ceasefire line to evacuate, while Israeli forces continue to conduct airstrikes and open fire, resulting in over 900 Palestinian deaths since the truce began.
• The expansion violates the October ceasefire agreement, UN Security Council resolutions, and the Trump peace plan, which emphasized no forced displacement and encouraged Palestinians to stay and rebuild Gaza.
• Analysts and UN officials warn that the ceasefire framework is collapsing, with Hamas unwilling to disarm without Israeli withdrawal, and the US potentially shifting focus to reconstruction in Israeli-controlled zones while isolating Hamas in the remaining areas.