Khaled Meshal, one of Hamas’s most senior officials, said in an interview that the militant group expects to play a decisive role in the enclave when the war is over.

Tuesday’s statement by Israel’s security Cabinet signaled a tougher stance at a time when Israeli leaders have stepped up their warnings.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that returning residents evacuated from Israel's north due to cross-border fighting with Hezbollah is now an official war goal.