Israel's security cabinet is meeting on Thursday to decide on whether to order a complete military takeover of the Gaza Strip – a move the UN says would risk "catastrophic consequences".
Israeli media say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees this as the only way to destroy Hamas and free hostages still held by the group following the breakdown of ceasefire talks.
Reports, though, say the head of the military and some ministers disagree, amid warnings such a move could be disastrous for the hostages and Palestinian civilians.
Top UN official Miroslav Jenča told the UN Security Council earlier this week that it would be against international law and was a "deeply alarming" prospect.
The Israeli military currently controls about three-quarters of Gaza. The vast majority of Gaza's population has already been displaced by the war and many more would be uprooted if the army takes over remaining areas.
