The Israeli prime minister said control of Palestinian territory would be transferred to friendly Arab forces after Hamas is vanquished.

By Alexander Cornwell, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Charlotte Greenfield JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Israel's political-security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City early on Friday, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intended to take military control of the entire strip despite intensifying criticism at home and abroad over the devastating almost two-year-old war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that to destroy Hamas, Israel intends to take full control of the Gaza Strip and eventually transfer its administration to friendly Arab forces, as the Security Cabinet discussed a widening of its 22-month offensive.