Israel's defence minister has announced that the country will permanently seize parts of the Gaza strip if Hamas refuses to release hostages. Israel Katz stated that the military forces would intensify their campaign and instructed the army to seize additional areas in the besieged territory. He also suggested that Israel would continue to take more territory permanently if the remaining hostages are not freed. Israeli forces have already resumed ground operations in the Gaza strip and taken control of the Netzarim Corridor, making travel from north to south Gaza impossible.