Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel plans to take full control of Gaza but does not intend to govern it, as his security cabinet convened on Thursday to discuss the country's war plans.

The meeting comes as Netanyahu faces mounting pressure at home and abroad for a deal to spare the remaining hostages held by Palestinian militants and pull the territory back from the brink of famine.

With tensions rising, Netanyahu took to the airwaves in the US, where he told Fox News the government intends to take full control of Gaza, following 22 months of war against Hamas.

"We intend to," Netanyahu replied, when asked if Israel will take control of "all of Gaza."

Netanyahu is expected to seek the security cabinet's approval for the expanded offensive, which will see the army operate in

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