Israel says it will expand Gaza City offensive

Israel has announced it is expanding its military operations in Gaza City, as the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, condemned Israel's approval of a massive illegal settlement expansion on the West Bank as a "flagrant breach of international law".

- Peter Beaumont

Briefing journalists, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Effie Defrin said the IDF had begun the second phase of its Operation Gideon's Chariots in Gaza, referring to an operation that has been continuing since May.

Defrin added that as part of the operation the IDF would intensify efforts to harm Hamas in Gaza City, which he deemed a "stronghold of regime and military terror".

Defrin's briefing coincided with a statement from the office of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he called for the acceleration of a much threatened, widespread offensive to conquer Gaza City.

"Ahead of approval of the plans for the operation in Gaza City, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed that the timetables - for seizing control of the last terrorist strongholds and the defeat of Hamas - be shortened," the statement said.

It was unclear if Defrin's statement was referring to the wider operation, plans for which have drawn widespread international condemnation.

Israeli talk of a large-scale operation could be primarily intended at putting pressure on Hamas during negotiations towards a ceasefire and an end to the war.