Israeli soldiers to remain in Gaza, says Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israeli soldiers will remain stationed in conquered areas of the Gaza Strip in the future.

In a video address, he said that it is no longer the intention for soldiers to carry out attacks in the Gaza Strip and then withdraw. The goal is the opposite. He left open whether the entire area or only certain parts of it will be taken.

Netanyahu also said that residents of the Gaza Strip would be resettled, adding that this was being done for their own protection.

Gaza residents reacted with horror to Israel's latest plans.

The decision to expand the offensive in the Gaza Strip was made on the recommendation of Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir in order to crush Hamas, Netanyahu continued. Zamir is convinced that intensifying the operations will also help rescue Istraeli hostages, he said. "And I agree with him."

According to government sources, the Israeli security cabinet had previously approved the capture of the Gaza Strip and continued army control of the area.

The plan also envisages moving the population from the north of the sealed-off coastal strip to the south. The aim is to defeat the Islamist Hamas and secure the release of the hostages.