Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Gaza Strip on Wednesday to assess Israeli military units stationed there, reaffirming that they control 60% of the Palestinian enclave and stating that there are no plans for withdrawal. This statement contradicts a ceasefire agreement, according to reports from EFE and Agerpres.
During his visit, Netanyahu declared, “We control the terrain. We are not withdrawing. We remain on this line. We control 60% of the strip, and there is still much to be done,” as he addressed troops occupying the Palestinian enclave up to the so-called “yellow line,” the demarcation line behind which Israeli units withdrew when the ceasefire with the Islamist group Hamas began.
In a speech delivered against the backdrop of Gaza’s devastated buildings, Netanyahu praised a recent operation in which a local militia cooperating with Israel captured a senior Hamas commander in the city.
“We are doing everything possible to achieve our objective: disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza,” he added, referring to Israeli operations that violate the ceasefire in effect since October 2025.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced in July that Hamas agreed to disarm in stages, based on a 15-point roadmap proposed by the so-called “Peace Council” established by the White House leader. The Palestinian group stated it agrees to the roadmap, but emphasized that implementation depends first on Israel fulfilling its own commitments, including halting attacks and withdrawing from Gaza.
Netanyahu was accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, Eyal Zamir, and other senior officers, later meeting with them to evaluate the security situation in the Palestinian enclave.
He further stated that Israel has already largely achieved its objectives in Gaza, asserting, “There are still things to be done, and we will do them.”
This visit and his statements come as Israel prepares for elections on October 27. Netanyahu, whose governing coalition is not performing well in polls ahead of the elections, has been notable in the last three years for engaging the Israeli army in multiple military actions in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Yemen.
