Netanyahu Rejects US Ceasefire and Orders Gaza Control Expansion

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a United States-backed ceasefire proposal on Wednesday during a visit to military positions near the Gaza Strip's Yellow Line. Netanyahu declared that Israeli forces will not withdraw from their current locations, asserting that Israel currently controls 60 percent of the enclave. He has since ordered the military to expand that control to 70 percent, a move that exceeds the terms of the October 2025 ceasefire agreement.

Netanyahu vowed to maintain this military presence until Hamas is disarmed and the territory is demilitarized, stating that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel once these goals are achieved. During his visit, he highlighted the recent capture of Muein al-Arabid, the head of Hamas's internal security apparatus. Simultaneously, Defense Minister Israel Katz stated the government is prepared to remove Palestinians from the Gaza Strip via sea or air, claiming migration is the only real solution for the territory.

These developments contrast with efforts by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the State Department to halt hostilities to reduce civilian casualties and improve humanitarian access. Hamas has condemned the continued military presence and demands a full Israeli withdrawal as a precondition for any lasting ceasefire. The United Nations and the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have also called for an immediate negotiated settlement to address the humanitarian crisis.