The Israel Defense Forces are expanding their presence in the southern Gaza Strip and creating a new security zone between the city of Rafah and the border with Egypt, according to Bloomberg. The military has recently begun expanding the so-called Morag Corridor.

Defence Minister Israel Katz also says Israel will continue its humanitarian aid blockade to pressure Hamas to release hostages.

Israel’s defense minister says that troops will remain in so-called security zones in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely