Israel has dramatically expanded its control over the Gaza Strip, now occupying more than 50% of the territory and squeezing Palestinians into shrinking wedges of land. The army has razed Palestinian homes, farmland, and infrastructure to the point of uninhabitability, creating a military buffer zone that has doubled in size in recent weeks. Israel claims this control is temporary, but human rights groups and experts believe it could be used for long-term control. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that even after defeating Hamas, Israel will maintain security control in Gaza and push Palestinians to leave.