The Israeli military is stepping up its activities in the embattled Gaza Strip, a leading commander said on Sunday, as dozens of Palestinians were reportedly killed in fresh attacks.

“We are intensifying our activity in accordance with the established plan,” said Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir.

“Hamas is under immense pressure. It has lost most of its assets and its command and control,” Zamir said during a visit to troops in the city of Khan Younis in the south of the coastal territory.

“We will deploy every tool at our disposal to bring the hostages home, dismantle Hamas, and dismantle its rule,” he asserted.

“This is not an endless war. We aim to end it by achieving its objectives,” he added. “We’re aiming for the decisive defeat of Hamas, and we will achieve it with determination, precision, and while ensuring the safety of our troops.”

Israeli media previously reported that the military has moved all its regular infantry and tank brigades into the Gaza Strip. The armed forces are currently deployed in various areas of the embattled coastal region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced plans to capture the entire Gaza Strip.

Israel’s actions in the coastal area, where around two million Palestinians live, have been met with massive international criticism.

There is also growing criticism among the Israeli population, with opinion polls indicating that many are in favour of ending the war in Gaza.

The armed forces launched a new major offensive in Gaza about a week ago. Dozens of deaths have since been reported daily in the Gaza Strip.

In the latest attacks, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said at least 38 people were killed in the past day.

A further 204 people were injured during the past 24 hours, the authority said on Sunday.

The figures do not include victims registered in hospitals in northern Gaza as access to the area is currently too difficult, the ministry added.

Since the start of the Gaza war, following the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, more than 53,900 people have been killed in the territory, according to Palestinian sources.

More than 122,700 people have been injured.