Netanyahu admits Israel holds 60%
- Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces now control 60% of Gaza, exceeding the territory outlined under the original U.S.-brokered truce. - Israeli strikes on Sunday killed at least eight Palestinians, with Israel saying the targets were Hamas militants and commanders amid stalled ceasefire talks in Gaza. - Reports of territorial gains, ongoing violence and continuing violations point to a nominal ceasefire rather than a stable settlement. (timesofisrael.com) (indiatoday.in) (commonslibrary.parliament.uk)
The ceasefire, mediated by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, initially allowed Israel to hold security zones in northern Gaza—about 25-30% of the Strip—while requiring withdrawals from densely populated southern areas like Rafah. Netanyahu's admission marks the first public confirmation of expanded control into central and southern Gaza, including parts of Khan Younis. 2/ Those strikes on Sunday killed at least eight Palestinians in Gaza City and Deir al-Balah, targeting what the Israeli military described as Hamas command centers. The IDF said the operation eliminated a Hamas company commander and two squad leaders responsible for prior attacks. Gaza health officials reported the dead included three civilians, with strikes hitting a residential building and a market area. This follows similar incidents last week, where Israel claimed 12 militants were killed in airstrikes near truce lines. 3/ Ceasefire talks, hosted in Doha, stalled over Hamas demands for full Israeli withdrawal and Israel's insistence on maintaining buffer zones. Qatari mediators proposed a phased deal: Israel vacates 40% of Gaza in exchange for 30 more hostages. Netanyahu rejected it publicly, calling it "unacceptable" without demilitarization guarantees. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said progress was "possible but fragile" as of May 17. 4/ Under the March truce, Israel was to control Philadelphi Corridor along Gaza's Egypt border and Netzarim Corridor splitting north-south Gaza—totaling roughly 30%—for "security reasons." Forces have since advanced into Mawasi humanitarian zone and eastern Khan Younis, per IDF maps released Friday. Netanyahu told Israel's Security Cabinet the extra territory ensures "no return to October 7," referencing Hamas's 2023 attack. Hamas accuses Israel of 147 truce violations since March, including aid blockages. 5/ Gaza's total area is 365 square kilometers; 60% control equals about 219 sq km under IDF operational authority, including evacuation zones housing 1.2 million displaced Palestinians. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs shows expanded Israeli positions near al-Mawasi since April 20. The UN's OCHA reports 90% of Gaza under evacuation orders or active combat zones as of May 18. 6/ Critics in Israel, including opposition leader Yair Lapid, called the expansion a "de facto annexation," while Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri labeled it "occupation without end." U.S. State Department said it is "monitoring closely" and urged adherence to truce terms. The UK Parliament briefing notes similar territorial disputes derailed prior talks in 2025. 7/ Next talks are set for May 22 in Doha, with U.S. President Harris dispatching Middle East envoy Witkoff; Israel demands Hamas disarm first, per Netanyahu's office.
