Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, made the remarks ahead of a security cabinet meeting, although military leaders are wary of expanding operations in the territory.

Israel’s security cabinet meets to plan next Gaza war steps, while separate political voices push to resettle Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip nearly 20 years after withdrawal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to meet with a small group of senior ministers on Thursday to discuss plans for the military to take control of more territory in Gaza, despite mounting criticism at home and abroad over the nearly two-year-old war there.