Israel says it is preparing to move Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza as plans move ahead for a military offensive in some of the territory’s most populated areas.

Cairo convened Palestinian factions and staged a show of unity. Every group but Hamas backed the partial deal, leaving it isolated in the very room where it once claimed leadership.

Palestinians fled parts of Gaza City Thursday after the Israeli military began the first stages of its planned offensive — as officials vowed to completely obliterate the “battered and

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel said Friday it will intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City, drawing a dismissal from the militant group and renewed international calls to end the conflict, while stirring fears for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

Israelis continue to demand the release of hostages held by Hamas and an end to the Israel-Hamas war. Demonstrators do not want their government to take over Gaza and Orthodox Jews are protesting against army recruitment.

Thousands took to the streets across Israel on Sunday to start a nationwide general strike, backed by the families of the hostages, demanding a cease-fire deal to free the captives and end the war