DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 59 people, including women and children, hospital officials said Wednesday, as Israel prepares to ramp up its campaign against Hamas in a devastating war now entering its 20th month.

Israeli ministers have reportedly approved a plan for the full takeover of the Gaza Strip, according to media reports citing unnamed officials. The proposal to seize and occupy the territory for an unspecified period was approved in a vote held by Israel's security Cabinet early Monday, the Associated Press reported.

We are learning more about plans approved by Israel on Monday to seize the Gaza strip, and occupy it indefinitely.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli plan to seize the Gaza Strip and expand the military operation has alarmed many in the region. Palestinians are exhausted and hopeless, pummeled by 19 months of heavy bombing. Families of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza are terrified that the possibility of a ceasefire is slipping further away.

JERUSALEM — Israel’s Cabinet voted Monday to seize the Gaza Strip for an unspecified amount of time in a move that could see Israel reestablish control over a territory it vacated two decades ago. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 after a decades-long occupation and then imposed a blockade on the territory along with Egypt.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said an expanded offensive against Palestinian militant group Hamas would be "intensive" after his security cabinet approved plans that may include seizing the Gaza Strip and controlling aid.