Australia's prime minister has accused his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu of being "in denial" over the consequences of the war in Gaza. Anthony Albanese on Monday announced his country would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, following similar moves by the UK, France and Canada.

Regional states, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran, have issued sharp condemnations of Israel's plan to seize Gaza City.

Israel's security cabinet has approved plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the Israeli military to occupy Gaza City, in an expansion of military operations that comes amid international condemnation of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.