Israeli airstrikes and shelling across the Gaza Strip killed at least 100 people in a single day, including 35 in Gaza City, while 13 Palestinians died of hunger. Israel mobilised reservists, with Israeli Army Radio reporting 40,000 called up, and the security cabinet approved plans to expand operations to seize Gaza City. Israel currently controls about 75% of the enclave. Tensions rose between Mr Netanyahu and ministers pushing to expedite an offensive and IDF chief Eyal Zamir, who warned an assault could endanger hostages and further strain an overstretched army. Starvation and civilian aid needs persist, and many reservists express discontent with the government’s strategy and post-war planning.
A security cabinet meeting late on Sunday included angry exchanges between Mr Netanyahu and his ministers, who want to expedite the offensive, and Israel Defence Forces (IDF) chief Eyal Zamir, who has urged the politicians to reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas. Mr Zamir said a military thrust into Gaza City would endanger hostages and further strain the already overstretched army, according to four ministers and two military officials present at the meeting.
The IDF chief has clashed with the cabinet before. Mr Netanyahu said on August 20 that he had ordered a faster push to take Gaza City, but the next day the military said hostages could be endangered, and that any offensive could not begin for two months, according to a source in Mr Netanyahu's circle and a defence official. I don't feel like I'm doing anything that really applies significant pressure to have Hamas release the hostages
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