Netanyahu says Israel will not withdraw from Gaza’s “Yellow Line,” plans to expand control

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a visit to Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip that the military would not withdraw from the area it currently controls and indicated that Israel intends to expand its territorial control.

Netanyahu made the remarks while touring an Israeli military position along the “Yellow Line,” accompanied by military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the head of the Southern Command.

“We control this area, and we will not withdraw. We will remain at this line,” Netanyahu said, referring to territory that he said amounts to approximately 60 percent of the Gaza Strip. He added that Israeli control would expand further.

The “Yellow Line” delineates areas of Israeli military deployment under the ceasefire arrangement that took effect in October 2025.

READ: Gaza survivors recount executions and abuse in militia-controlled areas east of Yellow Line

Netanyahu said Israel’s objectives remained the disarmament of Hamas and the broader demilitarisation of Gaza.

“We are doing everything we can to achieve our goal of disarming Hamas and demilitarising Gaza,” he said. “Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel. This goal has been largely achieved, but there is still work to be done.”

During the visit, Netanyahu also held a security assessment at the Gaza Division headquarters and met members of the Shin Bet special forces involved in an operation that captured Mu’in Muhammad al-Arabid, whom Israel identifies as the head of Hamas’s internal security apparatus in Gaza.

Netanyahu announced al-Arabid’s capture a day earlier and described him as a senior Hamas figure.

The Israeli prime minister accused al-Arabid of involvement in concealing and moving hostages, protecting Hamas leaders, rebuilding the group’s capabilities and planning attacks against Israeli forces and civilians. There was no immediate independent confirmation of the allegations.

Netanyahu also said Israel would continue pursuing Hamas leaders and individuals it holds responsible for the 7th October 2023 attacks on Israel.

READ: Imprisoned Palestinian doctor reports continued assaults and threats in Israeli detention