Israel intensified its onslaught Wednesday, with its minister of military affairs Israel Katz announcing plans to "capture extensive territory" to establish what he claimed to be new security zones.

The expansion, he said, aims to dismantle Hamas infrastructure and increase pressure for the release of Israeli captives held by the Gaza-based group.

The Israeli military has already set up a "buffer zone" within Gaza, expanding an area that existed around its edges before the war, and adding a large area in the so-called Netzarim Corridor through the middle of the territory.

On Monday, the Israeli military ordered all residents of Rafah in southern Gaza to leave and on Tuesday, it expanded the forced displacement notices to Beit Hanoon, Beit Lahiya and nearby areas in the north of the territory. 

According to The Times of Israel, the military has deployed its 36th Division to Gaza for the expanded onslaught, with troops entering the strip early Wednesday morning.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants Hamas to release the 59 Israeli captives remaining in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails, but without committing to ending the war and withdrawing troops from the besieged territory.

The families of Israeli captives issued a statement Wednesday, slamming Israel's announcement of the expanding military aggression, The Times of Israel reported.

The families "were horrified to wake up this morning" to the announcement that the onslaught in Gaza would be expanded for 'capturing extensive territory," the statement said. 

"Has it been decided to sacrifice the captives for the sake of 'territorial gains?" the families asked in a joint statement.

They said instead of securing the release of the captives through a deal and ending the war, the Israeli regime "is sending more soldiers into Gaza to fight in the same areas where battles have already taken place repeatedly."

The onslaught, which includes extensive evacuations particularly in Rafah and Khan Yunis, has led to significant civilian displacement.

Since dawn on Wednesday, Israeli attacks in central and southern Gaza have killed at least 21 Palestinians, medical sources said.