Israel's defence minister has said it will expand its so-called "security zones" in Gaza to include the southern city of Rafah.
During a visit to the area, Israel Katz said the military was leaving Gaza "smaller" and "more isolated" to pressure Hamas into releasing the hostages it is still holding.
The military has already seized land running along the entirety of the Palestinian territory's borders, which it has characterised as a buffer zone to prevent attacks.
The expansion to cover Rafah and its surrounding areas – which make up almost one fifth of Gaza – comes after the military ordered civilians to evacuate and established a new corridor separating them from nearby Khan Younis.
Two-thirds of Gaza has been designated as "no-go" zones or placed under evacuation orders since Israel resumed its offensive against Hamas on 18 March following the collapse of a two-month ceasefire, according to the UN.
It says 390,000 Palestinians – almost a fifth of the 2.1 million population – have been displaced once again, with no safe place to go.
The UN is also warning that supplies of food, medicine and fuel have run out because Israel blocked deliveries of humanitarian aid to Gaza since 2 March.
