Israel’s defense minister said it was preparing to seize more territory in Gaza and intensify attacks unless the Palestinian group freed more of the dozens of remaining captives.

Israel’s defense minister has ordered the military to take additional parts of the Gaza Strip, and vowed to hold them until Hamas releases the remaining hostages it holds

Israeli Defense Minister Katz told Hamas that the IDF would take "permanent" and "annexed" control of parts of the Gaza Strip unless the hostages were freed.