Israel’s security cabinet on Sunday approved an expanded military operation in Gaza that would include relocating the enclave’s entire population to the south, according to an Israeli official, while a minister described the plan as a move to “conquer” the territory.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far failed to achieve his goal of destroying Hamas or returning all the hostages, despite more than a year of brutal war in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that a new offensive in Gaza will be an intensive military operation aimed at defeating Hamas, but stopped short of detailing just how much of the enclave's territory would be seized.