Israel’s Cabinet has decided to seize Gaza for an unspecified amount of time. It's a move that could see Israel reestablish control over a territory it vacated two decades ago.

The Israel Defense Forces will gradually enter tracts of northern and southern Gaza and stay long term to root out Hamas fighters and destroy their tunnels.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday an expanded offensive against Palestinian militant group Hamas would be "intensive" after his security cabinet approved plans that may include seizing the Gaza Strip and controlling aid.