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Israel's decision to take over Gaza City was met with resignation and defiance by Palestinians who have survived two years of war and repeated raids. Many Israelis responded with fear and anger, worried it could be a death sentence for hostages held in Gaza.Related video above: The daily struggle of a Palestinian girl and her family in GazaIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israel would intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City, large parts of which have been destroyed by past bombardment and ground incursions.A major ground operation is almost sure to cause more mass displacement and worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis."What does (Israel) want from us? The area is all rubble. Rubble is an overstatement; it is a sandpile. There is nothing here to occupy," said a woman in Gaza City who identified herself as Umm Youssef. "There is no life here. I have to walk every day for more than 15 minutes to get drinking water."At least six Palestinians were shot dead, and more than 140 were wounded on Friday at the Israeli-run Zikim Crossing in northern Gaza, where U.N. aid convoys enter, according to Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, the director of Shifa Hospital, which received the dead and wounded. He said all six were killed by Israeli gunfire. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.It's unclear how many people are still in Gaza City. Hundreds of thousands fled under evacuation orders in the opening weeks of the conflict, but many returned during a ceasefire earlier this year.Ruby Chen, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen whose son, Itay, is a hostage held in Gaza, told The Associated Press that the decision puts the remaining hostages in danger."What is the plan now that is different from the last 22 months?" he said.Ehud Olmert, a former prime minister and harsh critic of Netanyahu, told the AP, "there's not any objective that can be achieved that's worth the cost of the lives of the hostages, the soldiers" and civilians, echoing concerns expressed by many former top security officials in Israel.'I will die here'Netanyahu says military pressure is key to achieving Israel's war goals of returning all the hostages and destroying Hamas. On Thursday, he told Fox News that Israel intends to eventually take over all of Gaza and hand it over to a friendly Arab civilian administration.But Hamas has survived nearly two years of war and several large-scale ground operations, including in Gaza City. In a statement, the militant group said the people of Gaza would "remain defiant against occupation" and warned Israel that the incursion "will not be a walk in the park."Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled Gaza City in the opening weeks of the war, the first of several mass displacements. Many returned during a ceasefire earlier this year. Now, residents say they are too busy searching for food and trying to survive amid the city's bombed-out buildings and tent camps to think about another exodus."I have no intention to leave my home, I will die here," said Kamel Abu Nahel, from the city's urban Shati refugee camp.Israel already controls and has largely destroyed around 75% of the Gaza Strip, with most of its population of some 2 million Palestinians now sheltering in Gaza City, the central city of Deir al-Balah and the sprawling displacement camps in the Muwasi area along the coast.The offensive has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians. It says women and children make up around half of the dead. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The United Nations and other experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of casualties, while Israel disputes them.Ismail Zaydah said he and his family had remained in Gaza City throughout the war."This is our land, there is no other place for us to go," he said. "We are not surrendering ... We were born here, and here we die."'This madman called Netanyahu'Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that started the war and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Though most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals, 50 are still in Gaza, less than half of them believed by Israel to be alive.Relatives of many of the hostages and their supporters have repeatedly protested against the continuation of the war, demanding that Israel reach a ceasefire with Hamas that would include the return of their loved ones. The long-running talks broke down last month."Somebody's got to stop this madman called Netanyahu," said Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is held hostage. He said faith in the United States to help is also dwindling. "I lost hope with Donald Trump ... he's letting Netanyahu just do whatever he likes," he said.But other Israelis voiced support for the decision."They need to go after Hamas," said Susan Makin, a Tel Aviv resident. "Why are they not asking why Hamas has not given back the hostages and put (down) their arms?"The agony around the plight of the hostages has worsened in recent days as Palestinian militants have released videos showing two of the captives emaciated and pleading for their lives. Families fear their loved ones, who may be held in other parts of Gaza, are running out of time.Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general and chairman of Israel's Defense and Security Forum, said there are a few hostages in Gaza City and the army will have to decide how to manage the situation.He said they might be able to surround the hostages and negotiate directly with their captors or leave those areas untouched. Under pressure, Hamas might decide to release the captives, he said.That strategy carries great risk. Last year, Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six hostages who were killed by their captors when troops approached the tunnel where they were being held. Israel's plan to take over Gaza City stirs fears for civilians and hostagesIsrael 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's air and ground war has killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, displaced most of the population, destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine. The timing of another major ground operation is unclear. It will likely require mobilizing thousands of troops and forcibly evacuating civilians, almost certainly worsening Gaza's humanitarian crisis.An official familiar with the plans to take over Gaza City said the operation would be "gradual" and that there is no start date. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. Before Israel's Security Cabinet approved the plan to take over Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had outlined more sweeping plans Thursday in an interview with Fox News, saying Israel planned to take control of all of Gaza. Israel already controls around three-quarters of the territory.Hamas rejected Israel's plans. "Expanding of aggression against our Palestinian people will not be a walk in the park," the group said in a statement.Netanyahu had signaled plans for even broader warInternational powers, including Israeli allies France, Britain and Canada, have stepped up criticism of the war amid mounting shock over media reports showing starvation.Germany said Friday it would not authorize the export of military equipment that could be used in Gaza until further notice.Tensions could rise further if Netanyahu follows through on the more sweeping plans to take control of the entire territory, two decades after Israel's unilateral withdrawal.Israel's new plan may be aimed in part at pressuring Hamas to accept a ceasefire on Israel's terms.It may also reflect the reservations of Israel's military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who reportedly warned that expanding operations would endanger the remaining 20 or so living hostages held by Hamas and further strain Israel's army after nearly two years of regional wars.The military "will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones," Netanyahu's office said in a statement after the Security Cabinet meeting.Amir Avivi, a retired brigadier general and chairman of Israel's Defense and Security Forum, estimated it would take less than three months to mobilize some 30,000 troops, evacuate Palestinian civilians and take over Gaza City.Hamas-led militants triggered the war when they stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251 people. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals but 50 remain inside Gaza. Israel believes around 20 of them to be alive.Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals.The United Nations and independent experts view the ministry's figures as the most reliable estimate of casualties. Israel has disputed them without offering a toll of its own. Wishes for an end to the warU.S. envoy Steve Witkoff told hostage families during his recent visit that Israel was shifting its approach to pursue a comprehensive "all-or-nothing" deal aimed at ending the war and securing the release of hostages, a person who attended the meeting told the AP, speaking on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak about the private meeting.Israelis united behind the war in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack, but dissent has steadily grown as hostages have languished in captivity. Some families of the hostages and their supporters have staged large protests calling for a ceasefire with Hamas that would bring their loved ones home."All of Israel wants a comprehensive deal and an end to the war," Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, said in a statement on Friday. "For the State of Israel to guarantee the security of its citizens, we must end this injustice that has been done to our loved ones for 22 months." Egypt and Qatar draw up framework to end the war and release hostagesMediators from Egypt and Qatar are working on a new framework which will include the release of all hostages — dead and alive — in one go in return for an end of the war in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the strip, according to two Arab officials who spoke to The Associated Press anonymously due to the sensitivity of the discussions. One is involved directly in the deliberations, and the second was briefed on the efforts.The efforts have the backing of major Arab Gulf monarchies, the officials said, as they are concerned about further regional destabilization if Israel's government proceeds with a full reoccupation of Gaza, two decades after Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the strip.The yet-to-be finalized framework aims to address the contentious issue of what to do with Hamas' weapons, with Israel seeking full disarmament and Hamas refusing. The official directly involved in the efforts said discussions are underway about "freezing arms," which may involve Hamas retaining but not using its weapons. It also calls for the group to relinquish power in the strip.A Palestinian-Arab committee would run Gaza and oversee the reconstruction efforts until the establishment of a Palestinian administration with a new police force, trained by two U.S. allies in the Middle East, to take over the strip, he said. It is unclear what role the Western-backed Palestinian Authority would play.The second official said that a powerful Gulf country is supporting the Egyptian-Qatari efforts.A senior Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to brief the media, said the group's leadership has been aware of the Arab mediators' efforts to revive the ceasefire talks, but has yet to receive details.AP reached out to the governments in Qatar, Egypt and Israel for comment. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff told hostage families during his recent visit that Israel was shifting its approach to pursue a comprehensive "all-or-nothing" deal aimed at ending the war and securing the release of hostages, a person who attended the meeting told the AP, speaking on the condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to speak about the private meeting. UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Israel's plans to take over GazaThe U.N. Mission of Panama, which holds the Security Council presidency this month, said the meeting has been rescheduled to 10 a.m. EDT on Sunday. It was originally scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. EDT on Saturday.Panama's Mission said the change was made following "further consultations and careful consideration." It provided no details, but Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath and Israel is certain to want to speak at the meeting.Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had called for an immediate emergency meeting of the U.N.'s most powerful body to stop Israel from escalating the fighting in Gaza.Panama's U.N. Mission said the request to the 15-member council for an emergency meeting was made by the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia. It was supported by Algeria, Russia, China, Somalia, Guyana, Pakistan, South Korea and Sierra Leone.The United States, Israel's closest ally, did not support the request.UN and Gaza Humanitarian Foundation officials met this weekThe dialogue "on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza" took place at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York. It was attended by the chairman of the Israeli-backed American foundation known as GHF and some U.N. "entities" and partner organizations, U.N. associate spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay said.Israel facilitated the establishment of four GHF sites in Gaza in May after blocking the entry of all food, medicine and other goods for 2 1/2 months. The U.N., which has delivered aid to hundreds of distribution points across Gaza throughout the war when conditions allowed, says GHF sites require Palestinians to travel long distances and risk their lives for food, and give Israel control over who gets aid.The U.N. human rights office says some 1,400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid since May, mostly near GHF sites but also along U.N. convoy routes where trucks have been overwhelmed by crowds. It says nearly all were killed by Israeli fire. UN chief calls Israel's decision to control Gaza City `a dangerous escalation'Secretary-General António Guterres says the government's decision "risks deepening the already catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians, and could further endanger more lives, including of the remaining hostages," his spokesperson said.Guterres also warns that an Israeli offensive will result in additional forced displacement, killings and massive destruction, "compounding the unimaginable suffering of the Palestinian population in Gaza," associate spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay said.The secretary-general reiterated his urgent appeal for a ceasefire, she said. He strongly urged Israel to abide by the July 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice to end its "unlawful presence" in Palestinian territory including Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem, Tremblay told U.N. reporters on FridayEU report finds little aid is getting into GazaThe European Union has concluded that little aid is flowing into Gaza despite an understanding reached between Brussels and Israel last month, according to a report by the 27-nation bloc's foreign service.Although roughly 5,000 trucks entered Gaza during the "limited lifting of the blockade by Israel," there are still "significant operational and bureaucratic constraints" on aid delivery, according to a copy of the report obtained by The Associated Press.Since May 19, an average of 36 trucks a day has entered Gaza, laden with food, nutrition supplements, medical supplies and chlorine, but 90% was looted once in Gaza, the report says.The EU had reached an agreement with Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza, but officials have not been able to confirm any improvements for themselves.Israel has blocked an EU monitoring team from entering Gaza because they were not humanitarian aid providers, said Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, a European Commission spokesperson, at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday.Canada's Carney says Gaza takeover plan puts hostages at riskCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Israel's plan to take over Gaza is wrong and puts the lives of the hostages at a greater risk."We join many others in viewing that this is wrong, that this action is not going to contribute in the improvement of the humanitarian situation on the ground. It is going to put the lives of the hostages at greater risk rather than lessoning it," Carney said. "We reiterate our call for an immediately ceasefire," he said when asked about it Friday.France condemns Israel's plans to take control of GazaFrance condemned the plans "in the strongest possible terms." In a statement from the foreign affairs ministry, France said it "reiterates its firm opposition to any plan for the occupation of the Gaza Strip and the forced displacement of its population."The ministry said "such actions would constitute further serious violations of international law and would lead to an absolute dead end." France, which keeps pushing for a two-state solution, insisted that Israel's plans would undermine the "legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians to live in peace in a viable, sovereign, and contiguous State, and pose a threat to regional stability." Iran condemns Israel's plan to take over GazaIran has condemned Israel's plan to take over Gaza and claimed it is an indication of Israel's intention to carry out "genocide" in the Palestinian territory.Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei in a statement called Western nations and the U.S. "accomplices" of Israel and urged the international community to force Israel to stop the move. He also urged Islamic nations to meet immediately to discuss a "joint act" to help the Palestinians. Czech Republic warns against Israel's Gaza City planCzech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said his country considers a plan by Israel to take over Gaza City "a risky step."Lipavský said the Czechs believe that Israel will take all necessary steps to protect the civilian population and will act in line with international law while the release of all hostages and a lasting ceasefire remain priorities.He said the only way of reaching a long-term peace is a two-state solution of the Israel-Palestinian conflict."The condition for that to happen is that Gaza will not be ruled by the terrorists from Hamas, which is a position shared by Czechia, Israel and a number of Arab countries in the region," Lipavský said in comments to the state-owned CTK news agency.The Czech Republic has been one of Israel's biggest allies in the EU.Saudi Arabia denounces Israeli plan to expand Gaza operationsThe Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned what it referred to as Israel's "starvation, brutal practices and ethnic cleansing" against the Palestinians.It said Palestinians have an "emotional, historical and legal connection to their land" and lamented the failure of the international community to halt the fighting.Saudi Arabia, a major Arab power, appeared to be close to forging diplomatic ties with Israel as part of a larger agreement with the United States before Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack ignited the war.The kingdom has repeatedly criticized Israel's wartime conduct and says it will only normalize ties in an agreement that includes major progress toward the creation of a Palestinian state, something Israel's current government and most of its political class rejects.Pakistan's prime minister condemns Israel's plan as 'dangerous escalation'Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the Israeli Cabinet's plan to take control of Gaza City, calling it a "dangerous escalation" that will worsen the humanitarian crisis and derail peace prospects.In a statement on X, he attributed the ongoing conflict to Israel's "prolonged, illegal occupation of Palestinian territory," stating that peace is impossible as long as the occupation continues. Sharif reiterated Pakistan's support for a sovereign Palestinian state and urged the international community to take action against Israel's latest plan. UK, Spain, Turkey and Australia criticize Israel's Gaza City planIsrael's plan to escalate military operations in Gaza drew international condemnation Friday.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Israel to reconsider, saying the expanded offensive would do nothing to end the conflict or secure the release of the remaining hostages."Our message is clear: a diplomatic solution is possible, but both parties must step away from the path of destruction," Starmer said.Spain's Foreign Minister José Albares said Israel's plan would "only lead to more destruction and suffering."Turkey's Foreign Ministry said the escalation marked a new phase of Israel's "expansionist" policies in the region."Israel must immediately halt its war plans, accept a ceasefire in Gaza, and begin negotiations toward a two-state solution," it said in a statement on Friday.Australia also condemned a further occupation of Gaza. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a two-state solution is the only pathway to secure an enduring peace: a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side-by-side in peace and security within internationally recognized borders. Germany suspends military exports that could be used in GazaGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz says his country will not authorize any exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza "until further notice."Germany has been a stalwart supporter of Israel for decades.In a statement, Merz emphasized that Israel "has the right to defend itself against Hamas' terror" and said that the release of Israeli hostages and "purposeful" negotiations toward a ceasefire in the 22-month conflict "are our top priority." He said Hamas must not have a role in the future of Gaza."The even harsher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, approved by the Israeli Cabinet last night, makes it increasingly difficult for the German government to see how these goals will be achieved," he added.Germany's move to suspend defense exports to Israel will be a limited measure, according to Zain Hussain, an arms transfers researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.German companies provide 30% of Israel's defense imports, mostly naval armaments, according to Hussain's analysis. "Germany has been committed to providing Israel with arms, especially with ships," he said, citing Germany's deep support for Israel and enmeshed defense ties.Currently, Germany provides some hardware to Israel, such as small warships and tank engines. Those engines can be fitted to Israel's Merkava tanks and Namer armored personnel carriers, which are actively deployed in Gaza.German-made Sa'ar corvettes, small warships festooned with sophisticated radar equipment and cannons, have shelled targets in Gaza during the war, Hussain said. Since 2018, Germany has rapidly increased its share of the Israeli arms market, mostly with naval hardware like corvettes and torpedoes.Hussain said it was "a big deal" for Germany, one of Israel's staunchest allies, to admit it was uncomfortable with Israel's actions in Gaza."However, I don't think this alone will stop Israel's operations in Gaza, and Israel still has the U.S.A. as a committed arms supplier," he cautioned. Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman, Sam Mednick and Shlomo Mor in Tel Aviv, Israel, Danica Kirka in London, Michelle Price in Washington, Joseph Krauss in Ottawa, Ontario, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Fanny Brodersen in Berlin contributed.