By WAFAA SHURAFA, SAM METZ and SAMY MAGDY, Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel said Friday it plans to take over Gaza City — in what would be an escalation of its 22-month war with Hamas that drew a dismissal from the group, renewed international calls to end the conflict, and stirred fears for hostages still held in Gaza.

Israel’s air and ground war has already killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, displaced most of the population , destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine . The timing of another major ground operation remains unclear since it will likely hinge on mobilizing thousands of troops and forcibly evacuating civilians, almost certainly exacerbating the humanitarian catastrophe.

Meanwhile, mediators from Egypt and Qatar are working on a ne

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