Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to ask his security cabinet to authorise a full military takeover of the Gaza Strip, arguing that only a decisive offensive can defeat Hamas and secure the release of the remaining hostages. The move follows the publication of Hamas videos showing visibly emaciated captives Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, footage Netanyahu described as “horrifying.” Roughly 50 hostages are still held in Gaza, with Israeli officials believing at least 20 are alive. The proposal has met resistance from Israel’s military leadership. During a three-hour meeting on Tuesday, Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir warned that expanding ground operations into areas where hostages are thought to be held could trap Israeli forces and further endanger the captives. Defence Minister Israel Katz said Zamir had both “the right and the duty” to present his concerns but stressed that the army would implement whatever course the government ultimately adopts. Israeli commanders say their forces already control about 75 % of the enclave after nearly two years of fighting. International and domestic pressure on Netanyahu is mounting. Nearly 600 retired Israeli security officials have urged U.S. President Donald Trump to press Israel to end the war, while the latest cease-fire talks in Qatar remain stalled. Some far-right members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition insist on a permanent occupation, a stance opposed by segments of the military and by opinion polls showing most Israelis favour a negotiated deal to free the hostages. Humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says the situation is “beyond catastrophic,” citing shortages of medicine, fuel and food and reporting about 200 starvation-related deaths, half of them children. The Gaza health ministry puts the Palestinian death toll from the conflict at more than 61,000. A cabinet vote on the proposed Gaza offensive is expected later this week.