The Israeli plan is said to involve a "conquest" of the Gaza Strip and tens of thousands of reservists have been called in.
We will finally occupy the Gaza Strip, says the ultra-nationalist finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, according to Israeli media.
When the new offensive has begun, Israel will not withdraw from conquered territories, says Benjamin Netanyahu in a clip published on X.
The intention is the opposite, he says.
The population will be moved, for their own safety, is Netanyahu's comment.
According to Bezalel Smotrich, Israel will separate Hamas from the population and "cleanse" the Gaza Strip. The minister does not rule out a future annexation of Gaza.
Major mobilization
Culture Minister Miki Zohar earlier on Monday told public service company Kan that the goal of Israel's new offensive is "total occupation of the Gaza Strip".
According to AFP, the Gaza population will be moved south "for their safety" as part of the new plan. The news agency's source says that Benjamin Netanyahu is still determined to implement US President Donald Trump's controversial Gaza plan, which includes "voluntary" displacement of the population.
The new effort will require a significant mobilization. The military has already started calling in tens of thousands of reservists ahead of the offensive, said army chief Eyal Zamir, according to Reuters on Sunday.
"Save Netanyahu"
The plan will, however, be launched after Donald Trump's trip to the Middle East next week, according to media in Israel. Until then, the focus will be on reaching an agreement on a ceasefire and prisoner exchange with the terrorist-listed Hamas.
Relatives of Israeli hostages in Gaza are criticizing the plan and accusing the government of sacrificing hostages, reports Haaretz. Even the former chief of staff Yair Golan is directing criticism at the government, claiming that the new offensive will cost Israel countless bloodshed.
"The cabinet decided last night to expand the military operation within the Gaza Strip – not to maintain Israel's security, but to save Netanyahu and the extremist government", he writes on X.
