Israel has strongly rejected criticism from world leaders after its security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City.

Defence minister Israel Katz said countries that condemn Israel and threaten sanctions "will not weaken our resolve".

"Our enemies will find us as one strong, united fist that will strike them with great force," he added.

Israel`s decision to expand its war in Gaza sparked condemnation from the UN and several countries, including the UK, France and Canada, and prompted Germany to halt military exports to Israel.

The plan approved by the Israeli security cabinet lists five "principles" for ending the war - disarming Hamas, returning all hostages, demilitarising the Gaza Strip, taking security control of the territory, and establishing "an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority".

Reports in Israeli media say the plan initially focuses on taking full control of Gaza City, relocating its estimated one million residents further south. Forces would also take control of refugee camps in central Gaza and areas where hostages are thought to be held.

A second offensive would follow weeks later in parallel with a boost in humanitarian aid, media say.

The move to escalate the conflict has drawn fierce opposition from some within Israel, including from military officials and the families of hostages being held in Gaza.

Hamas has said the plan to occupy Gaza City "constitutes a new war crime" and would "cost [Israel] dearly".

Reacting to Israel`s decision, UN human rights chief Volker Turk warned that further escalation "will result in more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes".

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the move "wrong", saying it "will only bring more bloodshed".

Australia`s Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Israel "not to go down this path", stressing that it would "only worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza".

Turkey`s foreign ministry urged the world community to prevent Israel`s plan, which it said aimed to "forcibly displace Palestinians from their own land".

In China, a foreign ministry spokesperson told the AFP news agency that "Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory".

Meanwhile, Netanyahu told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz he was disappointed with Berlin`s decision to suspend arms exports to Israel, saying it was "rewarding Hamas terrorism".