Just what are Israel's long-term plans for Gaza?

A ceasefire did not stop Israel from expanding control in Gaza. A U.S. peace plan called for Israeli forces to withdraw behind a temporary “Yellow Line,” keeping control of 58 percent of the territory, with full withdrawal to be set later. That withdrawal did not occur. During the ceasefire period, near-daily strikes killed at least 922 people and Israel increased its controlled area by about 11 percent. Satellite data from March indicated at least 32 military outposts, along with a ground barrier and infrastructure along the supposed temporary line. Humanitarian agencies accused Israel of restricting aid deliveries and worsening the humanitarian crisis. Netanyahu stated Israel now controls about 60 percent of Gaza and directed further steps toward taking more territory, raising concerns about unlawful annexation and ethnic cleansing.

"Under the terms of that agreement, Israeli forces were meant to withdraw behind what planners called the Yellow Line, maintaining control of 58 percent of the territory, with their full withdrawal to be set at a date to be determined. That withdrawal hasn't happened. In fact, in the months since, as well as killing at least 922 people in near-daily strikes on the enclave during the ceasefire, Israel has expanded its territory by about 11 percent."

"According to satellite data gathered in March, it has also established at least 32 military outposts, a ground barrier and infrastructure along what was supposed to be a temporary line. Since October last year, numerous humanitarian agencies, including Oxfam, have accused Israel of compounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by restricting deliveries of aid and other essential goods."

"Then, on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will take over yet more territory in Gaza, telling a conference: We are currently squeezing Hamas; we now control 60 percent of the territory of the Strip you know this. We were at 50. My directive is to move to , he said, pausing briefly as someone in the crowd yelled, 100! Let's go step by step, he responded, First of all, 70. Let's start with that."

"We're pressing them from all sides, we'll deal with the remnants. Al Jazeera contacted the Israeli prime minister's office for clarification of this, but received no response by the time of publishing. If Israel's ultimate plan is to exercise permanent effective control over the entirety of the Gaza Strip, we are talking about unlawful annexation, Michael Becker, a professor of i"

Read at www.aljazeera.com