Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is about to end the phase of intense fighting against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and will deploy more forces along the northern border with Lebanon.

Netanyahu made the remarks in an interview with an Israeli TV station on Sunday.

He said it doesn't mean that the war is about to end, but the war in its intense phase is about to end in Rafah.

Netanyahu said that after the intense phase is finished, Israel will have the possibility to move part of its forces north, and the country will do this.

He added that he is taking the steps for defensive purposes first and foremost, and secondly, to bring Israeli residents home.

Fighting continues between Israeli forces and the Lebanon-based Shia militant group Hezbollah near the border between the two countries. Hezbollah has been showing solidarity with Hamas.