Israel’s security cabinet has endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to expand fighting in Gaza, despite warnings from military leaders and others that doing so would put soldiers and hostages at risk.

The plan approved early Friday morning does not specify that Israel will “occupy” Gaza, as Netanyahu said shortly before entering the marathon meeting that he intended to do. Instead, it focuses on Gaza City, the largest area within Gaza where the Israeli army does not already operate on the ground.

The IDF says it has conquered about 75% percent of Gaza since entering in October 2023 but has avoided major ground operations in Gaza City and a handful of other places where it believes hostages are being held — and where a majority of Palestinians are living after mass displacem

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