The Palestinian movement Hamas has sharply criticized the statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the intention to expand the Israeli army's control over the Gaza Strip to 70%. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
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The day before, Netanyahu stated that he had instructed the military to increase the area of territories under Israeli control in Gaza. According to him, the army previously controlled about 50% of the enclave, later this figure rose to 60%, and now the task has been set to bring it to 70%.
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On Friday, Hamas representatives stated that the intentions of the Israeli leadership constitute a dangerous escalation of the situation and contradict the terms of the current ceasefire regime.
The movement claims that expanding control over Gaza's territory will lead to further forced displacement of the Palestinian population. Hamas characterized the Israeli authorities' plans as "ethnic cleansing" and an attempt to displace the residents of the enclave.
Gaza residents express concern
According to the agency, residents of the Gaza Strip are also expressing fears regarding the possible consequences of Israel's new plans. At the same time, Netanyahu did not specify how or within what timeframe the expansion of territorial control is to be implemented.
According to the ceasefire agreements that came into force in October, Israeli forces were to control approximately 53% of the Gaza Strip's territory.
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