Israel’s defense minister announced on Wednesday an expansion of the military operation in Gaza against Hamas, including plans to seize “large areas” of the territory.

Minister Israel Katz said the newly captured areas will be added to the “security zones” the military currently holds in Gaza and that the operation involves “large-scale evacuations” of the population from conflict areas.

These statements, which echo similar threats by Mr. Katz last month, seem designed to pressure Hamas amidst attempts to repair a broken truce. Both parties have negotiated through mediators for a possible restart of the truce, but no breakthrough has been secured yet.

It remains unclear whether either side can force an agreement on their preferred terms. Hamas insists on an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal in exchange for all hostages’ release.

This week, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined his vision for a post-war Gaza, which is likely to be rejected by Hamas. His demands include Hamas’s disarmament, Israeli security control throughout Gaza, and the implementation of a proposal by former U.S. President Trump for mass evacuation of Gazans.

“That’s the plan. We aren’t hiding it. We’re ready to discuss it at any point,” Mr. Netanyahu stated in a remarks distribution by his office on Sunday.

Israeli military operations resumed against Hamas in Gaza on March 18 following the collapse of a cease-fire in January. Over 1,000 Gaza residents, as reported by the health authorities without separating civilian and combatant casualties, have been killed since the truce’s collapse.

Israeli forces have also advanced in central Gaza and the city of Rafah, taking control of a major road dividing the enclave and parts of the southern city Rafah.

The military has also issued evacuation orders for parts of the enclave, displacing more than 140,000 people in Gaza since the cease-fire’s breakdown, according to the United Nations. Many are being evacuated from neighborhoods they had just begun to return to in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza health officials report more than 50,000 fatalities in the enclave since the conflict began after a Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages taken to Gaza. At least 59 hostages remain, with about 35 presumed dead according to the Israeli government.

Gabby Sobelman contributed reporting from Rehovot, Israel.