Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that the army is seizing large areas in Gaza and incorporating them into buffer zones cleared of their inhabitants, in a bid to force Hamas to release hostages, AFP reports.

“Large areas are being seized and added to Israel’s security zones, leaving Gaza smaller and more isolated,” Katz said during a visit to the newly announced Morag Corridor between the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis.

In his comments, Katz said that the population of Gaza was already “evacuating from combat zones”. He appealed to Gazans to force Hamas from power and return the hostages.

“This is the only way to stop the war,” he said, threatening that the military would “move to more intense fighting throughout Gaza until the hostages are freed and Hamas is defeated”.

Katz also said that Israel was working to implement US President Donald Trump’s plan for the “voluntary emigration” of Gaza residents.