On Friday morning, Israel's security cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan for a complete takeover of Gaza City, greatly expanding its war on Gaza and de facto laying the infrastructure for a full future occupation of the Strip, while carefully avoiding the legally loaded word "occupation." IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir opposed the program, but the prime minister promised that this is the plan to defeat Hamas and keep Israelis safe.

Families fear hostages are at risk from major military gamble

Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly supports seizing Gaza despite reservations by the Israel Defense Forces and criticism from Egypt's Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.