The UN also expresses alarm after Israel approves a new plan that may include seizing all of Gaza indefinitely and controlling aid.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel approved plans Monday to capture the entire Gaza Strip and to stay in the Palestinian territory for an unspecified amount of time, two Israeli officials said, a move that, if implemented, would vastly expand Israel’s operations there and likely draw fierce international opposition.

Israel has approved a new plan to drastically ramp up its military offensive against Hamas — including seizing the whole of Gaza and holding its territories, officials said Monday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet approved the new war plans in an early morning vote just hours after the Israeli military chief said the army was calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers in a bid to defeat the terrorist group.