Netanyahu: Israel controls over half of Gaza, ordered expansion to 70%

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that Israel now controls more than half of the Gaza Strip. Speaking at the Jordan Valley Conference, he revealed a directive to expand Israeli control to 70% of the territory.

Netanyahu's remarks came a day after the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) targeted two senior Hamas commanders in northern Gaza. The strike reportedly occurred as the commanders emerged from an underground tunnel network. Israeli officials were awaiting final confirmation of their deaths.

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Israel controls 60% of the Gaza Strip. My directive - 70%. We'll start there.

The prime minister also confirmed Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, stating that troops had crossed the Litani River. He asserted that Israel had struck over 150 targets across southern Lebanon, including Tyre and Nabatieh, in response to Hezbollah launching drones at Israeli towns. Netanyahu vowed further strikes against Hezbollah.

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Now we attacked in Beirut, we attacked Tyre yesterday, our forces crossed the Litani, we are striking them and will strike them very hard.