territory

More than 43,700 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

Under the laws of war, the forced displacement of any civilians inside an occupied territory is prohibited, unless it is necessary for their security or for an imperative military reason.

Israeli government ministers are also cited as saying that Gaza’s territory would decrease and that land would be handed to Israeli settlers.

About 1.9 million people - 90% of Gaza’s population - have fled their homes over the past year, and 79% of the territory is under Israeli-issued evacuation orders, according to the UN.

On Monday, Smotrich said that 2025 would be "the year of sovereignty" in the West Bank, adding that he had instructed Israeli authorities to begin preparatory work for annexation of the occupied territory.