Netanyahu directs Israeli forces to seize 70% of Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has directed his country's military to expand its control of the Gaza Strip in an effort to step up pressure on the Islamic group Hamas.

Netanyahu said on Thursday that "we now control 60 percent" and his directive was to increase this to 70 percent.

A ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas took effect in October last year, based on a US-led peace plan.

But health authorities in the strip said on Thursday that 922 people have died since the ceasefire began. The Israeli military has continued to launch intermittent attacks in Gaza.

The peace plan includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the disarmament of Hamas. But no major progress on the plan has been made so far.

Gaza continues to face a dire humanitarian situation. Many residents are still having to live in tents.

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