Israeli army expands control of Gaza and weighs stronger military action
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · May 8
Israeli army expands control of Gaza and weighs stronger military action
5 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · May 8
Israeli forces now hold 60% of the enclave, up from an agreed 53%, according to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, an Israeli official and a foreign diplomat monitoring the ceasefire.
The advance pushes beyond the temporary boundary set under the truce and further tightens pressure on the devastated territory as negotiations with Hamas remain stalled.
The move signals possible escalation in the war and deepens uncertainty for Gaza, where prolonged conflict and restricted space have worsened conditions for civilians.
With Hamas weakened and an Israeli-backed militia rising, who will ultimately govern the people of Gaza?
An Israeli minister claims US backing for a Gaza 'real estate bonanza.' What is the true plan for the territory's future?
How is Israel's 'Yellow Line' quietly redrawing Gaza's borders without a formal declaration of annexation?
Israel Controls 59% of Gaza in 2026 Amid Ceasefire Violations and Humanitarian Collapse
Overview
By May 2026, Israel expanded its control over 59% of the Gaza Strip, pushing beyond the October 2025 ceasefire boundary through systematic military incursions and a strategic plan to confine Gazans to a smaller area. This expansion, justified as creating buffer zones against militant attacks, has caused widespread fear and disrupted civilian life. The Israeli military maintains an aggressive posture with near-daily strikes and troop movements, severely restricting humanitarian aid and risking the collapse of Gaza's critical infrastructure. Hamas rejects disarmament without full Israeli withdrawal and political guarantees, while diplomatic efforts have collapsed amid mutual distrust, ongoing ceasefire violations, and politicization of aid, leaving Gaza in a fragile and worsening crisis.