Politics

In recent days General Zamir has been criticized by some supporters of government

Members of governing coalition hoped General Zamir would be more closely aligned with their approach than his predecessor

The latest episode appeared most significant showdown since government appointed General Zamir in February

A majority of the ministers believed that the alternative proposals put forward by the military would not result in the defeat of Hamas or the release of the hostages

The military leadership would prefer a new cease-fire instead of ramping up fighting

He has shared concerns about the exhaustion and fitness of reservists and about the military becoming responsible for governing millions of Palestinians

The Israeli military's chief of staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir has pushed back against the plan

Israel's expansion of military action would be in defiance of many other countries urging an end to the nearly two-year war in Gaza

Hamas said Mr Netanyahu's comments represent a clear reversal of the course of negotiations and clearly reveal the true motives behind his withdrawal from the final round

Some analysts have said that he has threatened to widen the offensive to compel Hamas to offer concessions in the cease-fire negotiations

We do not want to keep it govern it or be there as a governing body we want to hand it over to Arab forces

The prime minister suggested Israel was not interested in maintaining permanent control over the entire enclave

We want to liberate ourselves and the people of Gaza from the awful terror of Hamas

Mr Netanyahu said the move would assure security remove Hamas from power and enable the transfer of the civilian administration of Gaza to another party

Talks to achieve a cease-fire and the release of the hostages have hit an impasse

He made the comments in an interview with Fox News ahead of the security cabinet meeting

The cabinet approved five principles for ending the war including disarming Hamas the return of all 50 hostages the demilitarization of Gaza Israeli security control over the enclave and the establishment of an alternative civilian administration there that involves neither Hamas or the Palestinian Authority

It is likely to take the military days to call up reserve forces carry out troop deployments for a push into Gaza City and allow time for the forced evacuation of tens of thousands of Palestinians from the new areas of combat

The plan allows for the provision of humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones

The military is expected to push into central areas of the enclave where Hamas is believed to be holding Israeli hostages