Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed the country's military forces to expand their control to cover 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, according to reports from multiple news outlets.

The directive represents a significant expansion of Israeli military operations in the Palestinian territory. The order comes as Israeli forces continue their campaign in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

The scope of the directive indicates a substantial portion of Gaza would fall under Israeli military control, though specific details about the timeline for implementation or the strategic objectives were not immediately available.

Gaza, home to approximately 2.3 million Palestinians, has been the site of intense military operations since the conflict began. The territory covers roughly 140 square miles along the Mediterranean coast.

The directive comes amid ongoing international diplomatic efforts to address the conflict and its humanitarian implications for Gaza's civilian population.