Israeli planes and tanks kept bombarding eastern areas of Gaza City overnight, killing at least 11 people, witnesses and medics said on Tuesday, with Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya due in Cairo for talks to revive a U.

Israel's new offensive in Gaza City could take weeks to start, leaving the door open for a ceasefire, officials say, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it would get underway "fairly quickly" and end the war with Hamas' defeat.

Escalation of the war in Gaza is in sight. Last week, as the famine grew worse, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a plan for his country’s military to take control of Gaza City, a decision roundly condemned as a costly invasion that would create more suffering for Palestinians and risk the lives of the remaining Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel plans to widen its coming offensive beyond Gaza City to the last areas not yet under Israeli control.

Relatives of captives held by Hamas excoriated the Israeli government for what they called “an endless war without purpose.” It was unclear how many would join them.

Israel’s prime minister revealed the previously undisclosed objective amid pressure internationally and at home.