As violence between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip continues to be a daily reality, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) currently control 60% of the territory. His statement marks the first official confirmation of Israel’s expanded territorial control in Gaza — a region devastated by two years of war.
“We Have Not Ceded Any Territory”
Speaking publicly on Jerusalem Day (May 15, 2026), Netanyahu said: “Over the past two years, we have shown the entire world the inherent strength of our people, our state, our army, and our heritage.” He added: “We brought home all our hostages — every single one. (…) We have not ceded any territory. Some told us to leave — we did not leave. And today, we control 60% of the area. Tomorrow, we will see.”
Stalled Ceasefire Implementation
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement saw the release of the last Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, exchanged for Palestinian detainees held by Israel. However, the transition to the second phase — which was meant to include Hamas’s disarmament and a gradual Israeli military withdrawal to the so-called “yellow line” — has been completely stalled for weeks.
The yellow line demarcates the area controlled by Hamas from the zone under IDF control. Under the original ceasefire terms, Israel was granted control over just over 50% of the Gaza Strip. But recent media reports indicate that Israeli forces have extended their presence beyond that boundary into a newly referenced “orange line.”
According to these reports, Israeli armed forces are prepared to resume combat operations if Hamas refuses to surrender its weapons.