Israel is intensifying its strikes on Gaza City, the territory’s largest urban centre, as it plans to seize it.

In leaked audio recordings, the former head of Israeli military intelligence can be heard saying that the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza is “necessary and required for future generations.

CAIRO (Reuters) -Fearing an Israeli onslaught could come soon, some Palestinian families began leaving eastern areas of Gaza City, now under constant Israeli bombardment, for points to the west and some explored evacuating further south.

Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza City, said Aug. 18 that an evacuation order was issued by Israeli forces for the al-Zaytun neighborhood.

Notably absent from this month’s government statement is any mention of genocide or the ethnic cleansing accompanying the planned takeover of the territory.

Israel says it plans to take over Gaza City in another escalation of its 22-month war with Hamas. The decision, made after a late-night meeting of top officials, drew Palestinian rejection and fueled mounting international calls to end the war.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel said Friday it will intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City, stirring fears for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, and renewing international pressure for an end to the conflict.

Israel unveils new humanitarian corridors in Gaza as over 1,700 aid packages are airdropped without Israeli inspection, prompting scrutiny ahead of the planned Gaza city invasion. The Defense Ministry,