Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a strategic shift in Gaza, stating that Israeli forces are intensifying their operations by dividing the territory and expanding control across additional areas. Analysts interpret this as a sign of Israel seeking deeper, possibly long-term control within the enclave.
The Israeli government has made it clear that its military campaign against Hamas will intensify until new ceasefire conditions are accepted. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that Israeli forces are set to capture “large areas” within Gaza.
On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that troops had entered a section of northern Gaza, claiming more ground just days after revealing plans to take parts of the southern region.
Despite limited evidence of a broader troop buildup, the region continues to endure heavy bombardment. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 86 people were killed over a 24-hour period, raising the death toll to 1,249 since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18.
A particularly deadly strike in Khan Younis reportedly killed 25 members of the same family, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense. The Israeli military has yet to respond to requests for comment on the incident.
The full scope of Israel’s territorial ambitions remains unclear. However, Netanyahu alluded to plans to take over more strategic corridors, suggesting a shift toward firmer military presence or control.
“In the Gaza Strip last night, we changed tactics,” Netanyahu said in a video address on Wednesday. “The IDF is capturing ground, eliminating terrorists, and dismantling infrastructure.”
“We are now segmenting the strip and gradually tightening the pressure so that our hostages are returned. If they are not, the pressure will continue to mount,” he continued.
Netanyahu also referenced the Morag Corridor—an area formerly home to an Israeli settlement between Khan Younis and Rafah—as a new target. He described it as a “second Philadelphi Corridor,” referring to the strip of land along Gaza’s border with Egypt that Israel has seized and continues to occupy. This corridor has been a contentious point in ongoing ceasefire talks.
