Hamas said on Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration that his country would expand its area of control in Gaza was a dangerous escalation, as European states and residents of the Palestinian territory also voiced alarm at the plan.
Under a ceasefire deal in October, Israel’s military was to remain in control of 53% of Gaza, but Netanyahu said on Friday that it would expand that area to an initial 70%, without laying out details or a timeline.
The Palestinian group described his comments as a plan for ethnic cleansing and forced displacement of Palestinians.
“Any attempt to impose a new reality of occupation in Gaza is null and illegitimate,” said Ismail al-Thawabta, head of the Gaza government media office, adding that Netanyahu’s statement “represents a dangerous escalation”.