New Delhi, Aug. 9 -- Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the military to "take control" of Gaza City, his office said on Friday.

"The IDF [Israel Defence Forces] will prepare for taking control of Gaza City while distributing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population outside the combat zones," a statement from the Prime Ministers' Office said.

However, in conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Netanyahu said that "Israel's goal is not to take over Gaza, but to free Gaza from Hamas and enable a peaceful government to be established there."

The Israel Prime Ministers' Office that the Security Cabinet adopted the five principles for concluding the war:

1. T...