Israel’s Military Says It Now Controls 65% of Gaza

Israel’s military said Friday it has secured operational control of more than 65 percent of the Gaza Strip, marking its deepest territorial penetration since the campaign against Hamas resumed in March. The Israel Defense Forces, alongside domestic security agency Shin Bet, released a battlefield map showing areas under Israeli control across the enclave’s north, south and east, and said the advance leaves it on track toward an internal target of holding 75 percent of the territory.

Over the past week, troops killed in excess of 100 militants, including four identified by the army as senior commanders. The Israeli Air Force has conducted more than 7,500 strikes on weapons depots, rocket sites and tunnel networks since 18 March, the IDF added.

The war, launched in October 2023, continues to exact a heavy toll on civilians. Gaza’s health ministry said at least 57,130 Palestinians have been killed and 135,173 injured to date.