“We will take control of all” of Gaza Strip, Netanyahu says

“Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said it was necessary to prevent a famine in Gaza for "diplomatic reasons", after his government announced it would allow limited food aid into the territory.

"We must not let the population (of Gaza) sink into famine, both for practical and diplomatic reasons," Netanyahu said in a video posted to his Telegram channel, adding that even friends of “Israel” would not tolerate "images of mass starvation".

"The fighting is intense and we are making progress. We will take control of all the territory of the Strip," he continued.

"We will not give up. But in order to succeed, we must act in a way that cannot be stopped."

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“Israel” pledged Sunday to let a "basic amount" of food into Gaza to avert a hunger crisis.

The announcement came hours after the military said it had begun "extensive ground operations" in a newly intensified campaign in Gaza, and as “Israel” and Hamas engaged in indirect talks.

“Israel” has come under mounting international pressure, including from key backer the United States, to lift a total blockade on the Gaza Strip imposed more than two months ago.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Sunday that at the military's recommendation, "Israel will authorise the entry of a basic amount of food for the population to ensure that a hunger crisis does not develop in the Gaza Strip".

Such a crisis would jeopardise the army's new operation, it said, adding “Israel” would "act to prevent Hamas from seizing this humanitarian aid".

“Israel” said its blockade since March 2 claims to force concessions from Hamas, but UN agencies have warned of critical shortages of food, clean water, fuel and medicines.

Last week US President Donald Trump acknowledged that "a lot of people are starving", adding "we're going to get that taken care of".