The Israeli army said it is completing preparations for a "large ground operation" in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army stated in a statement today, Saturday, that it is ready "to expand the attack" by implementing "a wide range of offensive operational plans," which it claims include "a joint and coordinated attack from air, sea, and land."

The Israeli army confirmed that it is finalizing the recruitment of hundreds of thousands of reserve soldiers, as the logistics directorate works to supply the forces with all the equipment they will need for the ground attack.

It added: "In recent days, the necessary tools for combat have been delivered to assembly areas, and at this stage, various units of the technological and logistical directorate are completing the qualification of the tools and equipping them with advanced combat means as needed," said the Israeli army.

The army continued: "Battalions and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces are spread throughout the country and are ready to increase readiness for the next phases of the war, focusing on a large ground operation."

According to the Times of Israel, the army is expected to launch a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, but its scope and timing may be affected by other considerations, amid rising tensions on the northern border.

For his part, National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi reiterated that the government's goal of the war is to remove Hamas from military and political control of the Gaza Strip, but he refused to provide details on the planned next steps in the coastal territory.

When asked about Israeli plans for alternative control or a return to occupation in the Gaza Strip, Hanegbi told the Times of Israel: "We cannot inform the enemy through you about what is to come; we can say to Hamas that it is prohibited from being sovereign in Gaza."

Hanegbi stated that the government approved a plan to "destroy" Hamas at the recent cabinet meeting, as the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense mentioned, stating: "Hamas will not be the ruler, the sovereign in Gaza after the fighting."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip and asked stationed Israeli army soldiers about their readiness for the "next phase" of the operation in the Palestinian territory.

Netanyahu's office released a video of the meeting he had with the Israeli military personnel, where he was seen asking his soldiers and shaking their hands: "Are you ready for the next phase?" "The next phase is coming," without mentioning any further details.