IDF Deepens Control in Gaza, Claims 63% of Territory Secured

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has intensified its operational control over the Gaza Strip, with the Commander of the Gaza Division, Brigadier General Liron Batito, stating that the IDF now controls 63% of the territory. This enhanced control is supported by the establishment of approximately 40 new outposts, shifting the defense posture to a forward-facing strategy with Israeli soldiers positioned ahead of civilian communities.

Batito detailed the significant impact on Hamas's capabilities, noting that the IDF's control over border crossings restricts the organization's ability to smuggle in resources. He emphasized ongoing efforts to degrade Hamas's infrastructure, eliminate operatives, seize weaponry, and maintain operational freedom. The IDF is also actively mapping and destroying Hamas's underground tunnel network, having already neutralized a substantial portion of it.

The IDF has reportedly achieved near-total elimination of Hamas's military wing leadership. Batito stated that over three years of fighting, all heads of the military wing, all brigade commanders, and most battalion commanders have been eliminated. In September alone, around 70 militants were killed, including three brigade commanders, two battalion commanders, and nine company commanders. Among those eliminated were individuals involved in the October 7th attack, including those who abducted civilians and participated in the killing of Colonel Yonatan Steinberg.

Batito acknowledged the immense complexity of fighting in densely populated areas and within tunnels, requiring prolonged surveillance to ensure precise strikes while minimizing civilian casualties. He asserted that Hamas is no longer the military and governing body it was prior to October 7th, with its organizational structure dismantled, senior command severely degraded, and core infrastructure destroyed, though the group continues attempts to regroup and recruit.

Reflecting on the early days of the conflict, Batito recounted a difficult decision to withdraw from a location where hostages were believed to be held, to avoid endangering them. He also highlighted the remarkable recovery of communities in the Gaza envelope, with 90% of residents who lived there on October 7th having returned, and new residents joining through expansion projects. Despite this resurgence, Batito stressed the enduring trauma and the need to remember the failures of the past.