TEL AVIV: Israel’s security cabinet has approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for a military takeover of Gaza City, located in the north of the Palestinian territory.

According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office released early Friday, “The (Israeli military) will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones.”

However, two Israeli government sources told Reuters that the plan still requires approval by the full government cabinet, which may not meet until Sunday.

The decision signals a significant escalation in Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza and is expected to result in the forced displacement of tens of thousands of already exhausted and starving residents. Gaza is currently facing severe famine conditions, compounded by Israel’s continued blockade of humanitarian aid.

Axios journalist Barak Ravid, who first reported the plan, quoted an unnamed Israeli official as saying that “all Palestinian civilians [will be displaced] from Gaza City to the central camps and other areas by October 7.”

He added that the Israeli military will impose a siege on Hamas militants who remain in the city and launch a ground offensive simultaneously.

In a televised interview with Fox News on Thursday, ahead of the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu declared Israel’s intention to “take control of all Gaza.”

He also said Israel does not intend to govern Gaza permanently and would transfer control to an unspecified third party.

Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions continue to worsen. Nearly 200 people have reportedly died of famine-related causes in Gaza.