Israel Reportedly Expands Its Occupation in the Palestinian Gaza Strip

Israeli army medic from Nahal Brigade in southern Gaza. (Source: IDF)

Israel has expanded its occupation to 59 percent of the Gaza Strip, Palestine and is preparing for the possible resumption of genocide in the enclave, the Israeli Army Radio reported Sunday.

Before the October 2025 ceasefire, Israel occupied 53 percent of Gaza, the broadcaster said, quoted by Anadolu (4/5).

Meanwhile, the Palestinian group Hamas said the Israeli army occupied more than 60 percent of the coastal area.

Meanwhile, senior Israeli military officials "urge the resumption of fighting in Gaza and believe that the best time to defeat Hamas is now," the radio said.

The radio also reported military preparations for a possible resumption of fighting, noting that the army had reduced troops in southern Lebanon and redeployed regular brigades to Gaza and the West Bank.

It said the southern command of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had completed operational plans and was ready to resume fighting if ordered by political leadership.

This report comes amid Israel's continued violations of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as well as attacks in the West Bank.

The ceasefire agreed in October 2025 is intended to end Israel's two-year offensive in Gaza.

Separately, a medical source in Gaza confirmed on Sunday that the number of Palestinian deaths as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza had risen to 72,610, with 172,448 people injured since the war began on October 7, 2023, quoted from WAFA.

They added that the total number of Palestinians killed since the start of the ceasefire on October 11, 2025 has reached 830, while the number of injured has increased to 2,345. In addition, 767 bodies have been found from under the rubble.

The medical team also said that some of the victims were still trapped under the rubble and on the road, as ambulances and rescue teams could not reach them because the conditions on the ground were still not possible.