GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — The world’s leading authority on food crises said Friday the Gaza Strip’s largest city is gripped by famine, and that it is likely to spread across the territory without a ceasefire and an end to restrictions on humanitarian aid.

Israel says "there is no famine in Gaza" after the IPC reports more than 500,000 people in the Strip are facing "starvation, destitution and death".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that he is giving the final approval for the Israeli military takeover of Gaza City and reopening talks with the Palestinian militant group

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he will give final approval for the takeover of Gaza City while also restarting negotiations with Hamas aimed at returning all the remaining hostages and ending the war on Israel's terms.

Satellite images taken over and around Gaza City point to preparations for the expanded military operation and show signs internally displaced people are already fleeing.

Netanyahu meets top ministers to approve operational plans, day after army starts calling up reservists; aid groups warn against displacing population already weakened by hunger