By Dawoud Abu Alkas , Haseeb Alwazeer and Nidal al-MughrabiGAZA/CAIRO, May 29 (Reuters) - Hamas said on Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration that his country would expand its area of control in Gaza was a dangerous escalation, as residents of the Palestinian territory also voiced alarm at the plan. Under a ceasefire deal in October Israel's military was to remain in control of 53% of Gaza, but Netanyahu said on Friday that it would expand that area to an initial 70%, without laying out details or a timeline.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he had ordered the country’s military to take control of 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, in defiance

Netanyahu orders Israeli army to seize 70% of Gaza Strip, violating October 2025 ceasefire terms amid escalating tensions.