Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s military is “switching gears” in Gaza, dividing and seizing more parts of the strip, a move experts say could mean Israel establishing deeper, more long-term control over the territory.

The Israeli army announced Thursday it is expanding operations in the southern Gaza Strip in preparation for a ground incursion, disregarding regional and international warnings. Army spokesperson Effie Defrin made the statement as deadly attacks escalated in the enclave.

In pressing forward with its assault on the territory, Israel hopes to squeeze Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages. But other objectives have emerged.