Israel aims to take on Hamas' two remaining strongholds in its new Gaza offensive, which it hopes will conclude "fairly quickly" and end the war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.

Israel’s security cabinet has voted to expand the war in Gaza, marking a major escalation at a time when it is under intense domestic and international pressure to end the conflict.

The Israeli military “will prepare for taking control of Gaza City while distributing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population outside the combat zones,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.