Just what are Israel’s long-term plans for Gaza?

EXPLAINERDespite an apparent ceasefire, Israel’s leaders continue to hint at annexation and ethnic cleansing.Published On 29 May 2026After two years of relentless bombardment and ground invasions, Israel’s future in Gaza had appeared to be settled with the signing of United States President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan on October 9, 2025.Under the terms of that agreement, Israeli forces were meant to withdraw behind what planners called the “Yellow Line”, maintaining control of 58 percent of the territory, with their full withdrawal to be set at a date to be determined.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Board of Peace envoy warns ‘permanent’ Gaza divide under current status quolist 2 of 4Israel escalates Gaza attacks as Netanyahu stalls ceasefire for pollslist 3 of 4Israel’s Netanyahu directs army to seize 70 percent of Gaza Striplist 4 of 4Netanyahu orders Israeli army to seize 70 percent of Gazaend of listThat withdrawal hasn’t happened. In fact, in the months since, as well as killing at least 922 people in near-daily strikes on the enclave during the “ceasefire”, Israel has expanded its territory by about 11 percent.According to satellite data gathered in March, it has also established at least 32 military outposts, a ground barrier and infrastructure along what was supposed to be a temporary line.Since October last year, numerous humanitarian agencies, including Oxfam, have accused Israel of compounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by restricting deliveries of aid and other essential goods.Then, on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will take over yet more territory in Gaza, telling a conference: “We are currently squeezing Hamas; we now control 60 percent of the territory of the Strip – you know this. We were at 50. My directive is to move to …,” he said, pausing briefly as someone in the crowd yelled, “100!”“Let’s go step by step,” he responded, “First of all, 70. Let’s start with that. We’re pressing them from all sides, we’ll deal with the remnants.”