Israel will expand its military operation against Hamas in Rafah, saying 1 million civilians have moved out of the southern Gaza city.

“We are strengthening our effort in Rafah — this operation will grow, with more forces on the ground and more forces from the air,” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Thursday.

Israel is operating with care and precision, added military spokesman Daniel Hagari, following earlier concerns from the US and other allies about the threat to the local population.

The advance comes as Israel said it would revive stalled cease-fire talks with Hamas after a social-media video showing the abduction of female Israeli soldiers sparked a public outcry. The footage served as a reminder in Israel of the hostages that remain captive in Gaza following their kidnapping during the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas, which triggered the ongoing conflict.

Israel has said it needs to invade Rafah to achieve its goal of destroying Hamas. The city, near the Egyptian border, had become a refuge for Palestinian civilians fleeing the war elsewhere in Gaza and the campaign has been an issue during peace talks.

“We will reach our goals — to hit Hamas very hard, to deny its military capabilities, to the point that we create all the conditions to facilitate the return of the hostages to their homes,” Gallant said, speaking from a Navy boat off the coast of Gaza on Thursday.

The defense minister said he had joined a Navy patrol to review the military effort as well as the maritime delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.

Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and European Union.