The military leadership has said it prefers a new cease-fire instead of renewed fighting, and the military’s chief of staff previously raised concerns about troop exhaustion.

The wave of condemnation from European leaders, Arab nations and a group representing the families of hostages illustrated a widening gulf between Netanyahu’s government and much of the world as Israel’s 22-month war against Hamas intensifies and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip worsens.

Israel's security cabinet overnight Thursday approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to take control of Gaza, despite staunch opposition.