Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces now control 60% of the Gaza Strip, a claim multiple outlets report as the first official confirmation that Israel has expanded its military footprint inside the Palestinian enclave. The statements come amid ongoing conflict and international pressure, with one report noting Netanyahu frames the expansion as a maintenance of existing positions rather than a departure from prior posture. Cyprus Mail reports Netanyahu made the remarks during events marking “Jerusalem Day,” while NDTV and other outlets describe the comments as the first official indication of expansion tied to what some reporting characterizes as a new “Orange Line.”
The outlets agree on the core figure—60% control—and attribute the claim to Netanyahu’s remarks. They also connect the announcement to the idea of a newly defined or expanded area under Israeli military control within Gaza. The reports do not present additional verified operational details or independent confirmation of the boundaries referenced, focusing instead on what Netanyahu says publicly.
