Israel is expanding its military operation in the Gaza Strip to seize 'large areas' of the Palestinian territory, according to defence minister Israel Katz. The move is aimed at strengthening Israel's security zones and comes amidst intense fighting in Hamas-controlled Gaza. Katz called on Gaza residents to 'expel Hamas and return all hostages' as the only way to end the war. The Israeli military will 'crush and clean the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure and seize large areas that will be added to the security zones of the State of Israel.'