Israel’s military has announced its intention to extend its control over 75 per cent of the Gaza Strip, a significant escalation in the ongoing campaign against Hamas.
The new operational plan, which was made public on Sunday, marks a shift from targeted strikes to a broader strategy focused on territorial control and dismantling Hamas infrastructure.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) currently control approximately 40 per cent of the coastal enclave but now aim to increase this to three-quarters of the territory. The announcement also included details of a plan to relocate the civilian population into three designated zones across the Strip.
According to the IDF, it will take an estimated two months to establish and operationalise these civilian zones. The designated areas are located in the Mawasi region along the southern coast, the central Gaza towns of Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat, and a zone in and around Gaza City in the north. The military estimates the current population in these zones to be around one million in Gaza City, 700,000 in Mawasi, and between 300,000 and 350,000 in central Gaza.
While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated his intention to assert full control over Gaza, Sunday’s disclosure represents the first detailed framework for achieving this objective. The move underscores a strategic shift by the IDF from neutralising individual Hamas operatives to occupying key territory and dismantling command structures.
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited troops in Khan Younis over the weekend, reaffirming that Israel’s objective is a “decisive defeat” of Hamas. “You dismantled the Rafah Brigade – and now is the time to dismantle the Khan Yunis Brigade,” Zamir told soldiers. “Hamas is under immense pressure – it has lost most of its assets and its command and control. This is not an endless war – we aim to end it by achieving its objectives.”
The military reports that since the renewed offensive began in March, roughly 800 Hamas fighters have been killed. This is in addition to approximately 20,000 militants Israel claims to have neutralised between 7 October 2024 and the temporary ceasefire in January 2025. The IDF also states that around 25 per cent of Gaza’s estimated 600 miles of tunnels have been destroyed since October, with remaining tunnels believed to be used for mobility and logistics by Hamas.
The IDF’s updated operational doctrine reflects an emphasis on rendering Hamas unable to function as a governing or military entity. The army claims that most of the destroyed tunnels were used either for offensive operations or for the production and storage of weapons.
Despite military assurances that the campaign is entering a conclusive phase, the announcement of plans for mass civilian relocation is likely to provoke renewed international concern. The forced displacement of large numbers of civilians into controlled areas, coupled with the continued military presence, may further complicate diplomatic efforts and strain relations with key Western allies. In recent weeks, Israel has faced mounting criticism over the humanitarian toll of its offensive.
To address the growing humanitarian needs, Israel and the United States are backing the launch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), scheduled to begin operations on Monday. The GHF will manage aid distribution at four designated sites in southern and central Gaza. Three of these are located in areas identified by Israel as “Hamas-free” zones, while the fourth will be in the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza.
Each GHF site is expected to serve up to 300,000 Palestinians weekly. Under the system, a family representative will be permitted to collect five days’ worth of food supplies at a time. Israeli officials have stated that the system is designed to ensure aid reaches civilians directly while limiting potential diversions by Hamas.
The announcement comes amid growing debate within Israel and abroad over the sustainability and endgame of the campaign in Gaza. While the government maintains that control over a majority of the territory is necessary to prevent further attacks and to dismantle Hamas permanently, critics warn that the absence of a long-term political solution risks perpetuating instability.
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