Officials said prime minister was planning offensive to fully occupy Gaza, but resistance reveals splits in government
Israel-Gaza war – live updates
An Israeli security cabinet meeting, which had been expected to discuss prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for the “full occupation” of Gaza, has been postponed amid mounting tensions over whether the plan is feasible.
Amid a stalling of ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, Israeli officials had briefed local and international media that Netanyahu was considering an expansive offensive, aimed at taking full control of the Palestinian territory after 22 months of war against militant group Hamas.
However, senior Israeli military officers and former senior commanders warned that the plan would endanger the lives of remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas, risk further international isolation of Israel and require Israeli soldiers to administer a population in which Hamas fighters were still present.
