Israeli Central Command commander Avi Bluth said on the 16th the military now controls more than 60% of the Gaza Strip. He said a border security zone manned by two divisions has been set up to make a repeat of the Oct. 7 cross‑border attack "impossible." Bluth added Hamas still retains some military capability and controls other parts of Gaza, and its objective to "destroy Israel" has not changed.

2026-07-16

Israeli Central Command commander Avi Bluth said on the 16th the military now controls more than 60% of the Gaza Strip. He said a border security zone manned by two divisions has been set up to make a repeat of the Oct. 7 cross‑border attack "impossible." Bluth added Hamas still retains some military capability and controls other parts of Gaza, and its objective to "destroy Israel" has not changed.