Senior security officials have been told that maintaining an Israeli military government in Gaza would cost about 20 billion shekels (about $5.5bn) per year, according to the Ynet news site, Al Jazeera reports.

Citing a copy of a report provided to Israeli security officials, Ynet said that Israel will also need to pay an undetermined amount to rebuild infrastructure and housing in the besieged enclave, after months of relentless bombardment.

Five Israeli military units would also need to stay in Gaza, while about 400 people would be needed to staff the military government, according to the report.