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.

Israel Defense Forces will gradually enter tracts of northern and southern Gaza and stay long-term to root out Hamas fighters and destroy their tunnels.