The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, as well as the opposition and a large part of the Israeli public, are strongly against the expansion of the operation, arguing it would put their loved ones at even more risk.

Most Israeli Jews thought their country was waging a just war. But since mid-July, mainstream news bulletins that had shunned pictures of suffering in Gaza have begun showing footage of the emaciated and cast doubt on the morality of the cause.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering ordering the full reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media.