BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's decision to curb arms exports to Israel comes in response to Israel's plan to expand its operations in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday in an interview with public broadcaster ARD.

"We cannot deliver weapons into a conflict that is now being pursued exclusively by military means," Merz said. "We want to help diplomatically, and we are doing so."

The worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel's plans to expand military control over the enclave have pushed Germany to take this historically fraught step.

(Reuters) -An official from the International Atomic Energy Agency will fly to Iran for talks on Monday but no visit to nuclear sites is planned, state media quoted Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi as saying on Sunday.

(Reporting by Ahmed Tolba, Writing by Hatem Maher)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his plan to take control of Gaza City and target the remaining Hamas strongholds, saying Sunday it was "the best way to end the war", despite growing calls to stop the fighting.

More than 22 months into the war, sparked by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel, the country is gripped by a yawning divide pitting those demanding an end to the conflict and a deal for the release of the hostages against others who want to see the Palestinian militants vanquished once and for all.

GAZA CITY (Reuters) -The "Pele" of Palestinian soccer hoped to keep scoring goals until he was 50. An Israeli tank shell dashed that dream a decade early, his family said, killing Suleiman al-Obeid as he queued in southern Gaza this week to collect food.

Obeid's widow Doaa al-Obeid now clutches the blue-and-white number 10 shorts he wore for his Gaza club, Al-Shati, one of the only mementos she has of her late husband, as she and her five children mourn the revered 41-year-old striker.

"This is the most precious thing left behind by him," she said.

A UN official on Sunday warned the Security Council that Israel's plans to control Gaza City risked "another calamity" with far-reaching consequences, as Benjamin Netanyahu insisted his goal was not to occupy the territory.

The United Nations Security Council held a rare emergency weekend meeting after Israel said its military would "take control" of Gaza City in a plan approved by Prime Minister Netanyahu's security cabinet that sparked a wave of global criticism.

(Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel has no choice but to "complete the job" and defeat Hamas, given the Palestinian group's refusal to lay down its arms.

Netnayahu also told a news conference that his new Gaza offensive plans aim to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds.

(Reporting by Hatem Maher and Maayan LubellEditing by David Goodman)

CAIRO (Reuters) -Jordan is to host a meeting with U.S. and Syrian officials on Tuesday to discuss supporting the rebuilding of Syria after more than a decade of conflict and the ouster of former leader Bashar al-Assad by an Islamist-led rebellion in December.

Syrian foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani and the U.S. envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack will attend, Jordan's foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

By Emily Rose and Nidal al-Mughrabi

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Israel's far-right finance minister has demanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scrap his plan to seize Gaza City in favour of a tougher one, while Italy said on Sunday the plan could result in a "Vietnam" for Israel's army.

Netanyahu's security cabinet, of which the minister, Bezalel Smotrich, is a member, approved the plan by majority on Friday to expand military operations in the shattered Palestinian enclave to try to defeat militant group Hamas.

Israel's far right pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to go harder against Hamas, ahead of a UN Security Council meeting Sunday on the premier's plan to conquer Gaza City.

Over 22 months into the war in Gaza, Israel is gripped by a yawning divide, pitting those calling for an end of the conflict along with a deal for the release of the hostages against others who want to see Hamas vanquished once and for all.

The debate has only intensified after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet announced plans Friday to expand the conflict and capture Gaza City.

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Saturday that a $1 billion settlement offer by President Donald Trump's administration for UCLA amounted to political extortion to which the state will not bow.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The University of California says it is reviewing a $1 billion settlement offer by the Trump administration for UCLA after the government froze hundreds of millions of dollars in funding over pro-Palestinian protests.