His comments in a press conference in Jerusalem come despite tens of thousands of Israelis protesting the plan, which was approved by Israel’s Security Cabinet early Friday. Israel announces plan to take over Gaza City in another escalation of the war Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a plan to take over Gaza City despite demands by families of hostages and mounting international calls for Israel to end the war. Netanyahu said around 75% of Gaza is already under Israeli military control, and said Gaza City and central areas of the territory would be cleared of civilians. People in Gaza City say there’s little reason for them to leave, and be displaced to the south of the territory again. “Our goal is to free Gaza, free it from Hamas terrorists.”Displaced Palestinians walk through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City on Sunday.