Close to three dozen Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Saturday across Gaza as Israel intensifies its assault on the enclave and prepares for a major offensive to take control of the northern Gaza City.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered negotiations for the release of all hostages and an end to the war in Gaza “on terms acceptable to Israel.” The Israel military still intends to advance plans to take control of Gaza City,

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to give final approval Thursday for plans to take over Gaza City, an operation that could start within days. The widening of the 22-month offensive against Hamas appears to be proceeding despite protests in both Israel and the Palestinian enclave.

Hospital officials in Gaza say Israeli strikes and gunfire have killed at least 33 Palestinians sheltering in tents or seeking scarce food aid.

Hamas said that Israel's plan to relocate residents from Gaza City constitutes a "new wave of genocide and displacement" for hundreds of thousands.

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.

Many Israelis fear that plans for a new military offensive in some of Gaza’s most populated areas could further endanger the remaining hostages.

U.N. officials are calling this a moment of shame as they announce a famine in Gaza City. U.N.-backed food experts are reporting that more than half a million people in the northern Gaza Strip are facing what they call catastrophic conditions.