Regional states, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran, have issued sharp condemnations of Israel's plan to seize Gaza City.

Netanyahu previously said Israel would begin a new offensive in Gaza before handing over the land back to "Arab forces" that can co-exist with the Jewish state.

Asked in an interview with Fox News if Israel would “take control of all of Gaza,” Netanyahu replied: “We intend to, in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza.” The Security Cabinet would still need to approve such a decision.