Hundreds of protesters holding chains gathered on Thursday, near the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem, as Israel’s Security Cabinet convened to discuss a possible expansion of military operations in the Gaza Strip.

Such a move would draw fierce opposition internationally and from many in Israel, including the families of hostages held by Hamas.

The mother of one hostage, Anat Angrest accused Netanyahu of failing his son, "instead of doing the one thing that this government hasn’t done — putting a comprehensive deal on the table — to put a comprehensive deal on the table that will bring all 50 of them home together."

A similar protest was held in Tel Aviv on Thursday, where protesters waving flags and holding photos of hostages, gathered around burning tires.

An Israeli official said the Security Cabinet would hold a lengthy debate and approve an expanded military plan to conquer all or parts of Gaza not yet under Israeli control.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity pending a formal decision, said that whatever is approved would be implemented gradually to increase pressure on Hamas.

Asked in an interview with Fox News if Israel would “take control of all of Gaza,” Netanyahu replied: “We intend to, in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza, and to pass it to civilian governance that is not Hamas and not anyone advocating the destruction of Israel."

Israel’s Security Cabinet has approved a plan to take over Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. The decision taken early Friday marks another escalation of Israel’s 22-month offensive launched in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.

The war has already killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, destroyed much of Gaza and pushed the territory of some 2 million Palestinians toward famine.

Ahead of the Security Cabinet meeting, which began Thursday and ran through the night, Netanyahu said Israel planned to retake control over the entire territory and eventually hand it off to friendly Arab forces opposed to Hamas.

AP Video shot by Moshe Edri and Paz Bar