Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that Israel's goal is not to take over Gaza, but to free Gaza from Hamas and enable a peaceful government to be established there,

The U.N. human rights chief is among several global leaders condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan for the military to take over Gaza City and expand its control of the territory.

LONDON and TEL AVIV -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with his security cabinet on Thursday, an Israeli official said, as he considers plans to occupy the Gaza Strip despite international condemnation of the deteriorating humanitarian situation there.