Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, declared on Wednesday a significant escalation in military operations within the Gaza Strip, stating that the Israeli government intends to seize extensive areas of land to be integrated into its security zones.

Katz emphasized that the military actions will include large-scale evacuations of civilians from contested regions, and reiterated that the objectives of eliminating Hamas and securing the release of Israeli hostages are paramount to ending the ongoing conflict.

Specific details regarding the amount of land Israel plans to acquire remain unclear.

Previously, the Israeli military established a substantial buffer zone in Gaza, which included the expansion of existing areas along the perimeter of the enclave, as well as a significant security zone known as the Netzarim corridor, running through the central part of Gaza.

In conjunction with these military strategies, Israeli officials have articulated plans to support the voluntary resettlement of Palestinians, following a call from former United States President Donald Trump for the area to be entirely evacuated and transformed into a coastal resort under American governance.

Israel resumed airstrikes and ground troop deployments in Gaza last month, marking a shift from a two-month period of relative calm that followed a United States-backed truce facilitating the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinians incarcerated in Israel.

Negotiations aimed at ending hostilities, mediated by Qatari and Egyptian representatives, have not progressed as anticipated.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that applying military pressure is the most effective means to secure the release of the remaining 59 Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

This situation remains dynamic and developments are expected as the conflict continues.