Israel's military has expanded its territorial control in the Gaza Strip to roughly 70% and is preparing to resume combat, according to defense officials on Tuesday evening. Separately, the IDF is reportedly planning to establish a 'green' (routine-status) civilian zone in Rafah as it widens its hold. The report, citing a security source, is not independently corroborated.
The IDF has expanded its territorial footprint in the Gaza Strip to approximately 70% of the enclave, defense officials said Tuesday, following earlier statements by Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israel aimed for that threshold. The military is now preparing to resume combat operations against Hamas, which intelligence assessments indicate is rebuilding its capabilities in areas not under IDF control.
According to a single security source cited by the channel, the military is simultaneously planning to establish a 'green' (routine-status) civilian area in Rafah — the southernmost city — as part of a longer-term arrangement. The 'green' designation, a Home Front Command civil-defense term for relaxed activity restrictions, would return parts of Rafah to near-normal civilian life.
Neither the operational timeline nor the precise boundaries of the proposed Rafah zone have been disclosed. The report, based on a single source, has not been independently verified. As The Zioneer reported earlier Tuesday, defense officials assess that Hamas is reestablishing itself in parts of Gaza even as the IDF expands its ground presence.
2 developments
- DevelopingIsraeli security officials: Hamas is reestablishing itself in Gaza; IDF plans to build a 'green' city in Rafah
- DevelopingNetanyahu: Israel holds 60% of Gaza Strip, expects to reach 70% soon
- StrongIDF expands controlled area in southern Lebanon since April ceasefire, captures Ali al-Taher ridge — new map comparison shows
- StrongBardugo: Israel now holds 70% of Gaza, deep in Lebanon, can strike Iran at will
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Internal intake