JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel said Friday it will intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City, stirring fears for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, and renewing international pressure for an end to the conflict.

A group representing many of the hostages’ families has said the Israeli security cabinet’s plan to take control of Gaza City could further endanger their loved ones.

The Israeli prime minister's announcement of plans to take control of Gaza City has been met with concern in Israel, particularly by families of hostages still being held by Hamas. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum: Bring Them Home Now has said the plan "means abandoning hostages".

Sources close to Smotrich criticized the decision, admitting that the proposal led by Netanyahu might sound promising but is, in reality, more of the same. Several members of Israel’s Security Cabinet,

Pope Leo XIV, like Pope Francis before him, consistently has called on Hamas to release the hostages it kidnapped in Israel almost two years ago and has pleaded with Israel to allow the delivery of more humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discusses the ongoing conflict with Hamas, the food crisis in Gaza as Israel intends to take control of the region, efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages and more.

Hamas warned the Israeli government on Friday that seizing control of Gaza City would amount to "sacrificing" the hostages still being held in the Palestinian territory.