Gaza - Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Wednesday a major expansion of military attacks on the Gaza Strip, saying the army would seize "large areas" of the Palestinian territory.

The defense chief said in a statement that Israel would expand its presence in Gaza to "destroy and clear the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure."

The expanded operation would "seize large areas that will be incorporated into Israeli security zones," he said, without saying how much territory Israel would take.

The announcement comes after he warned last week the military would soon "operate with full force" in additional parts of Gaza.

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Katz previously threatened to annex parts of the Gaza Strip – a violation of international law. Those threats were repeated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who told the Knesset Israel was prepared to begin the "seizure of territories" in Palestine.

Israel restarted intense bombing of Gaza on March 18 and then launched a new ground invasion, ending a nearly two-month ceasefire.

Israel has slaughtered at least 50,357 people in Gaza since October 2023, according to the territory's health ministry, although experts believe the actual death toll to be far higher.