Israel’s defense minister says its troops will remain in so-called security zones in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely, after Israel unilaterally expanded its frontiers in the war unleashed by Hamas’ Oct.

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

The zones Israel now holds include extensive land along Gaza’s borders, as well as the so-called Netzarim Corridor that separates the north and south, and a new buffer zone in the south. Altogether, they account for 30 per cent of Gazan territory, according to the Israeli military.