Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a new offensive in Gaza would be an intensive military operation aimed at defeating Hamas, but gave no details on how much of the enclave's territory would be occupied, Reuters reports.
"The population will be relocated, for its own protection," Netanyahu said in a video posted on the social network "X".
He said Israeli soldiers will not enter Gaza to conduct raids and then withdraw. "The goal is the opposite of that," he said.
Earlier today, two Israeli officials said that Israel's security cabinet had approved a plan to occupy the entire Gaza Strip and remain there indefinitely.
"The plan will include, among other things, occupying the Strip and holding territory, moving the Gaza population south for its own protection, denying Hamas the ability to deliver humanitarian supplies, and launching heavy attacks against Hamas," the official said on condition of anonymity.
Israeli media reported that the plan would last for months and that the first phase involved the occupation of additional areas of Gaza and the expansion of the Israeli-defined "buffer zone" that runs along the territory's borders. The plan would aim to give Israel additional leverage in negotiations with Hamas for a new ceasefire and hostage release deal.