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

Israel’s military chief warned against a full takeover of Gaza, according to three Israeli sources familiar with the discussions, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considers ordering the “conquest’ of 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."