Netanyahu Orders IDF to Expand Control to 70% of Gaza Strip
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on June 3, 2026, that he has directed the IDF to extend its military control to 70% of the Gaza Strip, up from the current 60%. The move blatantly violates the October 2025 ceasefire agreement which restricted Israeli presence to 53% of the enclave. Hamas condemned the order as a 'dangerous escalation' while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted the plan contradicts the Trump administration's 20-point peace framework.
Date: June 3, 2026
Location: Palestine
Conflict: Israel-Hamas War
Category: border crossing
Severity: HIGH
Casualties reported: 3
Displaced: 1,200
Source: Dawn