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.

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.