Israel's military's operation in the Gaza Strip expanding to capture 'large areas' - defense minister

Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip is expanding to seize "large areas" of the Gaza Strip, the defense minister said Wednesday.

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Israel's offensive in the Palestinian territory was "expanding to crush and clean the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure and capture large areas that will be added to the security zones of the State of Israel," Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a written statement.

Israel's security perimeter, which runs along the border with Israel in northern and eastern Gaza, has been a crucial part of the country's defense for decades, used as a way to protect its citizens living near the territory.

Katz didn't specify which areas of Gaza would be seized in the expanded operation, which includes the "extensive evacuation" of the population from fighting areas.

The minister called on Gaza residents to "expel Hamas and return all hostages." The militant group still holds 59 captives, of whom 24 are believed to still be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

"This is the only way to end the war," Katz said.