The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will continue its operation in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip despite the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Gaza ceasefire resolution, Israeli Ministerial Committee on National Security Affairs declared on Friday.

"Israel has the right to defend its citizens and, to this end, the IDF will continue acting in order to attain the goals of the operation -- changing the security reality in southern Israel -- in accordance with the plans that were approved at the beginning of the operation," said a statement released shortly after the Friday cabinet session.

Operations will also continue to prevent the smuggling of war materiel into Gaza, according to the statement sent to Xinhua.

"It was also decided that the humanitarian activity being carried out by Israel for the benefit of the residents of Gaza would continue," said the statement.

Earlier, local daily Ha'aretz reported on its website that Israeli diplomatic-security cabinet ordered the IDF to expand its ongoing ground operation against Hamas targets in Gaza.

Asked whether the IDF has received the order, an IDF spokeswoman told Xinhua that "We are not commenting on that."

"We will follow plans and decisions made by the government," she said, adding that "We do not elaborate on operational details."

On Thursday, the UNSC adopted Resolution 1860 calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza "leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces."

The 15-nation council approved the resolution with 14 voting in favor. The United States abstained.