Stephanie Tremblay, the associate spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, told the press on Friday that "the Secretary General is gravely alarmed by the decision of the Israeli government to take control of Gaza City."

Israel said Friday it will intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City, drawing a dismissal from the militant group and renewed international calls to end the conflict, while stirring fears for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

"The Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal for a permanent cease fire, unimpeded humanitarian access across Gaza and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," Tremblay told reporters.

Israel’s air and ground war has 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 is unclear. It will likely require mobilizing thousands of troops and forcibly evacuating civilians, almost certainly exacerbating the humanitarian catastrophe.

Tremblay reported "that even the most basic daily tasks such as finding water or food have become extremely difficult" and highlighted that humanitarian airdrops have killed and injured people in Gaza.

Before Israel's Security Cabinet approved the plan to take over Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had outlined more sweeping plans Thursday in an interview with Fox News, saying Israel planned to take control of all of Gaza. Israel already controls around three-quarters of the territory.