Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israel Defense Forces to seize control of 70% of the Gaza Strip, a move that British diplomats have described as a potential catalyst for a humanitarian catastrophe. The directive, issued late Tuesday, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict and represents the largest territorial capture by Israeli forces since the 1967 Six-Day War.
According to Israeli military sources, the operation aims to dismantle Hamas’s remaining infrastructure in areas including Khan Younis, Rafah, and the central Gaza corridor. Ground troops, supported by artillery and airstrikes, have already advanced into previously designated buffer zones. The IDF’s chief spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, stated that the objective is “the complete elimination of terrorist capabilities,” though he declined to specify a timeline.
British diplomatic sources in Tel Aviv and London have expressed alarm. A Foreign Office official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We are looking at a situation where a population of over two million will be compressed into an area smaller than the Isle of Wight, with minimal access to food, water, or medical care. The legal and moral implications are staggering.” The UK has joined other European nations in urging restraint and calling for an emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations and aid organisations. The World Food Programme warned that its current operations are already stretched to breaking point. “A further reduction in accessible territory will make delivery of supplies nearly impossible,” said a spokesperson. The Red Cross has reported that hospitals in southern Gaza are overwhelmed, with patients being treated in corridors and makeshift tents.
Netanyahu’s decision appears to be driven by a desire to achieve a decisive military victory ahead of potential US pressure for a ceasefire. The move also entrenches a de facto division of the strip, which analysts suggest could become a permanent buffer zone. In a televised address, Netanyahu argued that “security requires space” and cited the need to prevent rocket attacks on Israeli communities.
Opposition figures in Israel have questioned the strategic logic of the seizure. Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid described it as “a recipe for endless occupation” that would further alienate international opinion. The White House has not issued a direct condemnation, but Pentagon officials are reported to be monitoring the situation with concern.
The expansion of control raises immediate questions about the treatment of civilians. Under international law, an occupying power bears responsibilities for ensuring public order and safety. Human rights groups have already documented instances of forced displacement. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that 1.5 million people are now concentrated in the dwindling Al-Mawasi area, a coastal strip with limited sanitation.
European governments are now exploring options for a binding UN resolution, though Russia and China have indicated they may veto any measure that does not explicitly condemn Israel. Britain is lobbying for a compromise that includes a ceasefire and a return to pre-1967 borders — a proposal rejected by both Jerusalem and Hamas.
As the IDF prepares to consolidate its new positions, the world watches a conflict that shows no sign of de-escalation. For the civilians of Gaza, the noose is tightening.
