DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to give final approval Thursday for plans to take over Gaza City, an operation that could start within days. The widening of the 22-month offensive against Hamas appears to be proceeding despite protests in both Israel and the Palestinian enclave.

As aid fails to reach civilians in Gaza, Israel slams misleading figures. The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, using armed security, continues to feed millions despite a U.N. boycott.

Israel's offensive has killed at least 62,122 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which the United Nations considers reliable.

Israel said Wednesday its military had entered the first stages of a planned assault on the city, a campaign it begins while clashing publicly with major Western powers.

A whistleblower claims World Food Programme and U.N. agencies rejected Israeli security assistance, blocking aid distribution to Gaza despite available supplies as U.N. dismisses accusations.

The special collection is to bolster the Catholic Church's response to a deepening humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.

U.S. Senators Wyden and Merkley call for action against Israeli settlers obstructing aid to Gaza and committing violence.

A funeral has been held in Italy for a young Palestinian woman who died there after being evacuated from Gaza.