Families of Israeli hostages said they are not surprised by the government's decision to retake Gaza City, but stressed that it's a bad development.

"Israeli government decided on a path that we hostage families feel puts in danger, the living hostages, as well as the deceased hostages that never will be found," Ruby Chen, father of US-Israeli hostage Itay said.

"It's unfortunate, but we, the families, feel that we are collateral damage," he added.

On Friday, Israel announced its plans, an escalation in its 22-month war with Hamas.

The move drew a swift dismissal from the militant group, renewed international calls to end the conflict, and heightened fears for hostages still held in Gaza.

Some Israelis however argued it is necessary to continue pursuing Hamas.

Susan Makin, a Tel Aviv resident, believes the government should press on with the fight against Hamas.“672 days, it’s enough already. Let’s focus on Hamas,” Makin said.

Israel has repeatedly bombarded Gaza City and carried out numerous raids there, only to return to neighborhoods again and again as militants regrouped.

Today, it is one of the few areas in Gaza that hasn’t been turned into an Israeli buffer zone or placed under evacuation orders.

A major ground operation there could displace tens of thousands of people and further disrupt efforts to deliver food to the hunger-stricken territory.

It’s unclear how many people reside in the city, which was Gaza’s largest before the war.

Hundreds of thousands fled under evacuation orders in the opening weeks of the war, but many returned during a ceasefire at the start of this year.

Israel’s military offensive has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians.

The United Nations and independent experts view the ministry’s figures as the most reliable estimate of casualties.

Israel has disputed them without offering a toll of its own.

AP Video by Shlomo Mor