ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at wider military action in devastated Gaza, despite former Israeli army and intelligence chiefs having called for an end to the destruction, according to reports published today. 

Mr Netanyahu announced on Monday that he would convene his security cabinet to direct the military on the war's next stage, hinting that even more extreme action was possible.

He said his objectives include defeating Hamas, winning the release of all 50 remaining hostages and ensuring that the Palestinian militant group never threatens Israel again.

Today, Israeli media reported disagreements between Mr Netanyahu and army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir on how to proceed.

The reports, citing anonymous officials in Mr Netanyahu’s office, said the prime minister was pushing the army, which controls about three-quarters of Gaza, to conquer the entire territory — a step that could endanger hostages, deepen the humanitarian crisis and further isolate Israel internationally.

Various reports have said Lt-Gen Zamir opposes this step and could step down or be pushed out if it is approved. Israeli officials have not responded to media reports on this subject.

Meanwhile, former members of Israel’s spy agencies posted a video on social media on Sunday, saying that far-right members of the government were holding Israel “hostage” by prolonging the conflict.

Mr Netanyahu’s objectives in Gaza are “a fantasy,” former Shin Bet head Yoram Cohen said in the video.

“If anyone imagines that we can reach every terrorist and every pit and every weapon, and in parallel bring our hostages home — I think it is impossible,” he said.

In Gaza, health officials said Israeli troops had opened fire this morning on Palestinians seeking aid in central and southern Gaza, killing at least 28 people.

The dead included 19 in southern Gaza, 12 of whom were seeking aid near the Morag corridor and in the Teina area, 1.8 miles from the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) hub east of Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital and the Palestinian territory’s Health Ministry.

Elsewhere in central Gaza, al-Awda hospital said it had received the bodies of six Palestinians who were killed when Israeli troops targeted crowds near another GHF aid distribution site.

Health officials also told reporters yesterday that eight people, including a child, had died due to Israeli-induced starvation over the previous 24 hours.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has now killed at least 61,020 people and wounded 150,670 others since it began in October 2023 following a bloody cross-border attack by Hamas and its allies.