The Israeli prime minister has released a new Hebrew-language video message on X, addressing the cabinet-approved plan to expand the Gaza offensive, Al Jazeera reports.

According to translated excerpts reported by Reuters, Netanyahu said Gaza’s Palestinian population “will be moved, for its own protection”.

Netanyahu also said Israeli soldiers would not go into Gaza, launch raids and then retreat. “The intention is the opposite of that,” he said.

The decision, Netanyahu said, was approved on the recommendation of Israel’s new military chief of staff Eyal Zamir. “He believes this will also help us rescue the hostages. I agree with him,” the Israeli PM. “We are not letting up on this effort and will not give up on anyone.”

The Israeli leader also said a “committee of inquiry” probing failures leading up to the October 7, 2023 attack should not be established until “after the war ends”.

“Afterward, we will examine this and we need to investigate the political echelon from the prime minister down. I demand this,” said Netanyahu.