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.

Members of the UN Security Council offered their sympathy to Israeli hostages after a video showing an emaciated captive was released by Hamas, but called on Israel to end its self-created humanitarian catastrophe and allow more aid to enter the besieged territory.

One former military chief said that Israel is "well over a year past the point where we could have ended the war."