Netanyahu says he ordered IDF to seize 70% of Gaza Strip, well beyond terms of ceasefire deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given directives for the IDF to take control of 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, in Hebrew-language remarks delivered at a conference held by the Ein Prat Leadership Academy.

“At this point, we are fully in control of 60% of the territory of the Gaza Strip… and my directive is to get to… 70%,” Netanyahu says in footage from the event aired by Channel 12.

When one audience member shouts out that Israel should take “100 percent” of the territory in Gaza, Netanyahu responds that “we’re going in order,” but doesn’t dispute that this could be the eventual goal.

“First 70%,” he says, “we’ll start with that.”

Netanyahu admitted last week that Israel already holds 60 percent of the territory in the Strip, significantly more than it is supposed to be in control of.

Maps issued by Israel in March showed a new restricted area beyond the 53% of Gaza that Israel controlled after the ceasefire brokered by the US in October.

The restricted area, marked on the maps with an orange line, makes up an estimated 11% of Gaza’s territory beyond the “Yellow Line” demarcating the part of Gaza occupied by Israeli troops since the truce. The areas cordon off nearly two-thirds of Gaza’s territory in total.

Lazar Berman contributed to this report.