Netanyahu to Propose New Gaza Border to Trump, Annexing 58% of Strip

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to pitch a bold redrawing of Israel's border with Gaza during his upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, according to exclusive details obtained by Walla News. The proposal would formalize the so-called "Yellow Line" as Israel's new official boundary, effectively annexing approximately 58% of the Gaza Strip's territory.

The revelation comes as Netanyahu gears up for his visit to Washington next week, amid intensive security and political consultations in Israel. Sources involved in the discussions told Walla that the move aims to secure American backing for the shift, which would include key areas such as Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, Khan Younis, and a significant portion of Rafah city.

A senior political source emphasized the strategic messaging behind the plan: "This is also an important and deterrent message for the future, whoever murders Jews loses territory." The initiative, the source added, would involve maintaining an Israeli military presence in over half of Gaza while economically isolating Hamas, gradually eroding its control through demilitarization and lack of reconstruction aid.

"The idea is to stay militarily in half of Gaza, dry it out economically from inside and out," the source said. "There will be no rehabilitation; there will be disarmament of the Strip, and slowly people will realize they have nothing to seek there and will leave Gaza."

Under Phase 2 of Trump's Gaza plan, Israel is expected to withdraw eastward to its current border. However, the prospects of Arab states endorsing Israel's annexation of half the Strip remain slim to nonexistent. The key question now is whether the current temporary status, where Israel has not yet withdrawn, will persist, and if Netanyahu might leverage this request to advance other priorities in his talks with Trump.

The Yellow Line, as outlined in official maps, encompasses 58% of Gaza's land, including vital agricultural zones and the border crossing with Egypt. Israeli forces have already conducted operations along this line, including the destruction of underground tunnels in Khan Younis on December 20, as documented by the IDF spokesperson.

This development builds on earlier statements from IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who in early December described the Yellow Line as Israel's "new border," signaling potential annexation of over half the territory under Trump's ceasefire framework. Such a move has drawn international criticism, with Palestinian leaders warning of "dangerous Israeli intentions" to seize 53% of Gaza.

Netanyahu's office has not yet commented on the report, but the proposal aligns with his government's hardline stance against Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attacks.