The decision would mark a stunning escalation of the nearly 22-month war in the territory that has already been largely destroyed and where experts say famine is unfolding.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to propose fully reoccupying the Gaza Strip when he meets his security cabinet, Israeli media say. "The die has been cast. We're going for the full conquest of the Gaza Strip – and defeating Hamas," local journalists quote a senior official saying.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with his security cabinet this week as Israeli media reports he is preparing to push for a full military takeover of Gaza. Andrew Boyd, former chief of operations for the CIA Counterterrorism Mission Center,