Al Jazeera reports that, according to Israeli media, the plan to occupy Gaza City was opposed by the army’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

According to the Israeli Broadcasting Authorities, the Israeli top commander said he was against the move because it would endanger the lives of the remaining captives — about 20 of whom are believed to be still alive — and because it would exhaust Israeli soldiers and damage Israel’s international legitimacy.

Zamir proposed instead an additional encirclement of the Strip without extensive reservist mobilisation, the report said.