Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet is weighing three broad courses for the Gaza war—complete occupation of the enclave, a sustained siege of Hamas, or a negotiated deal to secure the release of Israeli hostages—according to reports by the daily Israel Hayom and other Israeli outlets on 30 June. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have publicly urged the government to halt all talks with Hamas and intensify military operations until the Islamist movement is defeated. Both ministers said they will oppose any "partial" settlement, with Ben Gvir also advocating for policies that would encourage what he called the “voluntary migration” of Gaza’s residents. Senior Israel Defense Forces officers told ministers that a full Israeli takeover of Gaza would place a severe military and economic burden on the country, the newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported. The army has pressed the cabinet to clarify whether it intends to strike a hostage deal or proceed with an occupation so that operational orders can be finalized. A decision could come as soon as later today or tomorrow, Israeli media said, as public pressure mounts both to free hostages captured in the 2024 attacks and to define Israel’s long-term governance strategy for the territory.