Jerusalem: Israel's Security Cabinet has approved a plan to take over Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced in a statement on Friday. The Israel Defense Forces will prepare for the takeover while distributing humanitarian assistance to civilians outside the combat zones, as per the statement.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the cabinet adopted five principles for "concluding the war": disarming Hamas, returning all hostages, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, establishing Israeli security control in the region, and setting up an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. The cabinet's decision came after a majority of ministers concluded that an alternative plan would not adequately defeat Hamas or secure hostages' release.

The statement did not delve into specifics but suggested reference to a proposal by military chief Eyal Zamir, who opposes occupying the Gaza Strip due to concerns over potential humanitarian crises and hostage safety. In a Fox News interview, Netanyahu expressed Israel's intent to control Gaza to ensure security, remove Hamas, and enable a better life for Gaza's population without a long-term occupation.

Hamas responded by stating Netanyahu's remarks indicate a shift in negotiation tactics and reveal underlying motives for withdrawing from recent talks. Gaza-based health authorities reported that at least 9,752 Palestinians have died and 40,004 have been injured since March 18, with total casualties since October 2023 reaching 61,258 deaths and 152,045 injuries.