Overview
- Netanyahu announced the order on Thursday, saying the Israeli military already controls about 60% of Gaza and must expand to 70% to press Hamas.
- The Israeli military reported it killed Mohammad Odeh, identified as a new Hamas military leader, and a relative confirmed his death to Reuters.
- Nighttime Israeli airstrikes during Eid al-Adha killed 10 people in Gaza including five children, and hospitals said dozens more were wounded.
- UN agencies including UNICEF and OCHA warned the planned expansion will worsen shortages of food, water, fuel and medical care and will hamper humanitarian access for Gaza’s 2.1 million people.
- Analysts say the move pushes Israel beyond the October ceasefire 'linea amarilla' that set Israeli control near 53%, creating new legal and diplomatic disputes and raising the risk of wider regional escalation.