Senior Israeli military officials told the Security Cabinet on Tuesday that the IDF now controls between 67% and 70% of the Gaza Strip, according to two Israeli sources.
In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested a detailed map showing the current deployment of Israeli forces.
Under the hostage-release agreement, the IDF was expected to remain in roughly 53% of the Gaza Strip, along what became known as the Yellow Line.
However, after Hamas refused to disarm as required under President Trump's 20-point plan, and amid the continuing threat posed by the terrorist organization, the IDF expanded its operations in recent months to capture territory beyond the Yellow Line.
"We are not allowing them to rearm or attack us, and we are also eliminating their senior commanders," Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting last month.
Netanyahu pushes for 70% Israeli control of Gaza
Several weeks ago, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to expand its control to 70% of the Gaza Strip.
"My directive is to move to 70% control of the Gaza Strip," Netanyahu said at a conference in the Jordan Valley at the end of May.
As audience members called on him to take control of 100% of the territory, Netanyahu urged patience.
"We're at 60% right now. Let's do this step by step, first 70%," he said.
"We'll start with that. We're closing in on them from every direction, and then we'll deal with what's left."