Israel's security cabinet has approved plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the Israeli military to occupy Gaza City, in an expansion of military operations that comes amid international condemnation of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

The families of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas are calling for a nationwide strike to prevent the government’s proposed military occupation of Gaza.

Netanyahu likely to face questions about the security cabinet’s decision on Friday to expand the military offensive a move opposed by Israel’s military.