Reports: Israel Expands Control in Gaza Despite Ceasefire and Hints at Annexation

What happened

Al Jazeera reports that despite an apparent ceasefire in Gaza, Israeli authorities have expanded their control over Gaza territory from 50 percent to 60 percent, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggesting plans to increase this to 70 percent. Israeli forces have also established military outposts and infrastructure along previously agreed boundaries, delaying any planned withdrawal outlined in the 2025 US-brokered peace agreement. These developments come amid near-daily strikes that have continued since the ceasefire declaration.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure or battlefield claim should be read as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source. Since the October 2023 onset of the conflict, Israeli military action is reported by Al Jazeera to have caused extensive civilian casualties in Gaza, with at least 72,819 reported killed, alongside widespread destruction of infrastructure and confirmed famine conditions as of 2025. Humanitarian agencies like Oxfam and the UN’s OCHA have raised alarms about the worsening crisis, compounded by restrictions on aid deliveries and limited access to two-thirds of the enclave’s territory.

Israeli officials, including Defence Minister Israel Katz, have used terms such as 'voluntary emigration' to describe plans for the Gaza population, a phrase critics say signals ethnic cleansing, though such characterization is from observers rather than a direct confirmation. Al Jazeera notes that this rhetoric follows Netanyahu’s statements aiming to 'press' Hamas by expanding control further. The Israeli Ministry of Defence and Prime Minister’s office did not respond to requests for clarification on these points.

Known from the source

• Since October 2023, Israeli forces have increased their control of Gaza territory to 60 percent, up from 50 percent, with plans reportedly to reach 70 percent.
• Israeli military outposts and infrastructure along Gaza’s boundaries have been established, contradicting a planned Israeli withdrawal set under a 2025 US-brokered peace deal.
• Israeli forces have carried out near-daily strikes during the ceasefire period, resulting in at least 72,819 deaths reported by Al Jazeera in Gaza since October 2023.
• Humanitarian agencies accuse Israel of restricting aid deliveries and access throughout Gaza.
• Israeli officials have publicly used the phrase 'voluntary emigration' regarding Gaza’s population.

What remains unclear

International legal experts cited by Al Jazeera warn that permanent control over Gaza could constitute unlawful annexation under international law, referencing a 2024 ICJ advisory opinion. However, Israeli actions since the ceasefire—including settlement expansions and restrictions—have proceeded without major international sanctions or reactions, despite ongoing protests and concerns about legality and human rights.

What remains unclear: Verify Israeli government’s official position and intentions on territory expansion and annexation claims. Confirm casualty figures and famine status through independent or multiple humanitarian sources. Clarify the context and intent behind Israeli officials’ use of 'voluntary emigration'. Check responses or statements from US government regarding continued Israeli actions post-ceasefire.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Al Jazeera Gaza. Open the source.