The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement cited by AP that the cabinet backed the occupation attempt.

Mass protests have erupted across Israel as the country security cabinet was meeting to decide on a full reoccupation of Gaza, move that would mark a major escalation of the war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that to destroy Hamas, Israel intends to take full control of the Gaza Strip and eventually transfer its administration to friendly Arab forces, as the Security Cabinet discussed a widening of its 22-month offensive.