What is Israel’s plan in Gaza, as Netanyahu expands control? | Global News Podcast

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he has directed the Israel Defense Forces to increase its control of Gaza to 70 percent – a significant change to the “yellow line” of demarcation set by the US-brokered ceasefire agreement last year.

Mr Netanyahu said Israel was “squeezing Hamas”, as the IDF advances further into territory controlled by the militant group. Analysts say the operation is pushing Palestinian civilians into a smaller and smaller strip of land.

This comes just days after the Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz spoke about plans for a large number of Palestinians to “voluntarily emigrate” from Gaza. Human rights groups have warned that this may amount to the forced displacement of civilians – which could be considered a war crime. Some right-wing voices in Israel have called for Jewish settlements to be established in Gaza, the way they have in the occupied West Bank.

Under the 20-point plan put forward by US President Donald Trump, the next phase of the Gaza peace plan would see Hamas disarm and Israeli troops withdraw, but indirect talks have stalled, as Hamas refuses to give up its weapons.

Our Middle East correspondent Yolande Knell tells us what Israel’s next move could be, and how the Israeli elections could influence Mr Netanyahu’s policy in Gaza.

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00:00 Introduction
00:24 What Netanyahu said about control in Gaza
01:21 Could Israel take 100% control?
02:30 What does Israel want in Gaza?
04:28 Where does this leave Palestinians?
05:17 Ethnic cleansing fears
06:13 Could Gaza become like the West Bank?
09:05 Israeli elections
10:45 Conditions in Gaza