ByAMIR BOHBOT

JUNE 23, 2026 08:42

Updated: JUNE 23, 2026 08:53

The IDF has broadened its operational reach across roughly 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, and defense officials anticipate that the territory under Israeli oversight may grow in the months ahead.

"The extent of operational control over Palestinian areas could rise further in coming months, as Hamas appears to stall on commitments, dig in on the ground, enlist fighters, and ready itself for renewed conflict with Israel," a security source told Walla.

The evaluation arrives while Israeli defense leaders voice worry that Hamas is postponing steps required by the ceasefire deal even as it restores its strength and readies for possible fresh fighting.

Although Israel's security attention stays fixed on Iran and Lebanon, Southern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor directs three simultaneous tasks in Gaza: handling risks along the Yellow Line, widening Israeli operational control and defensive works, and readying for a potential new operation against Hamas while developing the Rafah region under a US-supported green city plan.

Defense officials note that Southern Command performs daily reviews along the Yellow Line and across other Gaza sectors. The work merges intelligence from IDF Military Intelligence and the Shin Bet to spot new risks and direct operational replies.

Readying responses and tracking risks

Officials explained that the reviews aim to uncover attack preparations, track militant operatives and leaders, counter immediate dangers with ground or air action, and secure the boundary between Israeli-held zones and Hamas-controlled ground.

The military also handles cases in which Hamas reportedly directs civilians toward Israeli positions to spark clashes with troops.

According to a security official cited by Walla, the IDF and Shin Bet keep a roster of targets linked directly or indirectly to the October 7 attack, including those accused of involvement in holding hostages.

Meanwhile, the military keeps strengthening defenses along the Yellow Line. Officials said Hamas has kept testing Israeli forces in the sector and has failed to meet calls to disarm.

The IDF is also widening security buffers near Israeli communities next to Gaza amid fears of future attacks.

As part of the effort, troops are constructing new paths, laying roads, upgrading positions facing the Yellow Line, boosting intelligence collection, and adding regular and reserve forces to the area.

Military planning centers on two extended tracks

The first track covers planning for a possible large-scale operation against Hamas. Defense officials said that if Hamas declines to disarm and demilitarize, the IDF could launch a fresh offensive, subject to government approval. Officials assess that many Hamas fighters and commanders remain grouped in Gaza City.

The second track focuses on preparations for a proposed US-backed civilian zone in Rafah. The plan, called a green city, seeks to establish an area free of militant activity and could advance even without Hamas disarmament or deployment of a multinational force.

According to Walla, the United States has already released infrastructure and construction tenders tied to the project. In its first stage, the plan would supply facilities for about 50,000 Palestinians who would pass security checks before settling in the zone.