Netanyahu Pledges Further Territorial Expansion in Gaza

During a conference at the Ein Prat pre-military academy, the prime minister addressed the crowd regarding the ongoing military presence in Gaza. After acknowledging that Israeli forces currently occupy roughly 60% of the coastal strip—up from 50% earlier in the conflict—Netanyahu outlined his next objective. When audience members suggested a full 100% takeover, he responded, "Wait, let's go in order. First 70%. Let's start with that."

This expansion directly defies the ceasefire agreement from last October, which mandated that Israeli troops withdraw behind a designated "yellow line" covering roughly 53% of the territory. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has condemned the move as de facto annexation. The situation on the ground remains volatile, with the United Nations reporting that 152 Palestinians were killed near the boundary line by February 5, raising concerns that civilians are being targeted simply for their proximity to restricted zones.

Simultaneously, the government is pursuing similar territorial goals in southern Lebanon, where over 200,000 residents were ordered to evacuate on Wednesday. Defense Minister Israel Katz has publicly advocated for the "voluntary migration" of Palestinians from Gaza, a stance that legal experts, including Itay Epshtain, argue constitutes a breach of international norms regarding forced deportation. Dylan Williams of the Center for International Policy characterized Netanyahu's latest remarks as a "war criminal admitting to his crimes," while JStreet’s Ilan Goldberg warned that such expansionist policies fatally undermine any possibility for a stable, post-conflict future in the region.