DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 59 people, including women and children, hospital officials said Wednesday, as Israel prepares to ramp up its campaign against Hamas in a devastating war now entering its 20th month .

The new bloodshed comes days after Israel approved a plan to intensify its operations in the Palestinian enclave.

We are learning more about plans approved by Israel on Monday to seize the Gaza strip, and occupy it indefinitely.

An Israeli official said on Wednesday that 24 hostages were alive in Gaza after U.S. President Donald Trump said the number was 21, alarming the families of hostages. Gal Hirsch, Israel's coordinator for hostage issues,

President Donald Trump says three hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have died, leaving only 21 believed to be still living

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the population of Gaza will be displaced to the south after his security cabinet approved an expanded military operation in the enclave that a minister described as a plan to “conquer” the territory.

The United Nations and its partners have condemned the proposals by Israel, which has been barring deliveries of food and medicine for months.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli plan to seize the Gaza Strip and expand the military operation has alarmed many in the region. Palestinians are exhausted and hopeless, pummeled by 19 months of heavy bombing. Families of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza are terrified that the possibility of a ceasefire is slipping further away.