An airstrike on Gaza City killed at least 12 people as the conflict entered a new phase with an Israeli offensive to rid the city of Hamas and free hostages.

Prominent reporter Anas al-Sharif and six other journalists were killed when Israel targeted a tent used by media, the broadcaster said.

The Israeli military said on Wednesday it had approved the framework for a new offensive in the Gaza Strip, as Hamas condemned what it called "aggressive" Israeli ground incursions in Gaza City.The approval for the expanded offensive comes days after Israel's security cabinet called for the seizure of Gaza's largest city,

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday slammed Israel's plans to step up its military operation in Gaza as a disaster waiting to happen and proposed an international coalition under a United Nations mandate to stabilise Gaza.

Emmanuel Macron has condemned Israel’s plans to expand its offensive in Gaza as a “disaster” and a move towards a “never-ending war”.