WATCH: IDF kills dozens of terrorists in Rafah as it establishes operational control of area

The 188th Special Operations Command killed dozens of terrorists during ongoing ground operations in southern Gaza, the IDF announced on Sunday.

The 188th Brigade Combat Team is continuing targeted activity in new areas of Rafah with the aim of dismantling terrorist infrastructure and establishing operational control.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday night that a "significant percentage of Gaza's territory has become part of Israel's security zones.

"The main objective is to exert heavy pressure on Hamas to return to a framework for the release of the hostages—and the more Hamas persists in its refusal, the more IDF operations will intensify,” Katz continued.

As part of the operation, the IDF located and destroyed multiple tunnel shafts, observation posts, booby-trapped buildings, and additional terrorist infrastructure that posed a direct threat to Israeli troops.

Cutting off Rafah

On Friday, the military finished establishing the Morag Corridor, which separates Rafah and Khan Yunis. 

Over the past week and a half, troops finished encircling Rafah. 

The encirlement and the establishment of the Morag Corridor were done to prevent arms smuggling from Rafah into other parts of Gaza and to prevent a surprise attack. The corridor makes this impossible to do above land without being seen. 

These positions make it easier for the IDF to defeat Hamas's remaining forces in Rafah, according to the military. 

Yonah Jeremy Bob and Amichai Stein contributed to this report.