Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced.
Netanyahu had previously stated that he aimed to take control of the entire Gaza Strip – but the approved plan focuses specifically on Gaza City, the enclave's largest city.
Taking control of Gaza City is likely to be the first phase of a full-scale occupation of Gaza, according to our Middle East correspondent.
Earlier, the UN warned that Israel's expansion of military operations risks bringing "catastrophic consequences" for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages.
Israel launched the war in Gaza following a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 hostages were taken and sent to Gaza.
Israel's massive military offensive has killed at least 61,158 Palestinians so far, according to Gaza's health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas.
The Israeli government does not allow international news organizations, including the BBC, to freely enter Gaza to report.
