Germany says it’s concerned about Israeli plans to expand area of control in Gaza

Palestinians offer Eid al-Adha prayers beside the ruins of a mosque destroyed by Israeli bombardment, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on May 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinians offer Eid al-Adha prayers beside the ruins of a mosque destroyed by Israeli bombardment, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on May 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

The German government is concerned about Israeli plans to take control of more of the Gaza Strip, a foreign ministry spokesperson says, adding that Germany opposes a permanent division of the enclave.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that he ordered the army to take control of 70 percent of the Strip, noting Israel currently controls some 60 percent of it.

An October 2025 hostage-ceasefire deal, brokered by the US, left Israel in control of just over half the territory, with the Hamas terror group in de facto control of the rest.

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