Israel now controls more than half of the Gaza Strip after destroying Palestinian homes and doubling the size of a military buffer zone since it broke a ceasefire last month. The land it holds includes a strategic corridor separating northern and southern Gaza,

Israel has depicted its tightening grip as a temporary necessity to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages it took during its Oct. 7, 2023, attack that started the war.

Israel announced a major expansion of military operations in Gaza on Wednesday, saying large areas of the enclave would be seized and added to its security zones.