The United Nations called reports about a possible decision to expand Israel's military operations throughout the Gaza Strip "deeply alarming" if true.

UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca told a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza that such a move "would risk catastrophic consequences ... and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza.

"International law is clear in the regard; Gaza is and must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state," he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met senior security officials on Tuesday to finalize a new strategy for the nearly two-year-old war in Gaza with media reporting he favored a complete military takeover of the Palestinian enclave.

Netanyahu's office said in a statement that the prime minister had held a "limited security discussion" lasting about three hours during which military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir "presented the options for continuing the campaign in Gaza".

An Israeli official had earlier said that Defense Minister Israel Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a confidant of Netanyahu, would also attend the meeting to decide on a strategy to take to the cabinet this week. Israeli media reported on Tuesday that the cabinet would convene on Thursday at 6 p.m. (1500 GMT).

Israel's Channel 12, citing an official from Netanyahu's office, had said the prime minister was leaning towards taking control of the entire territory. That would reverse a 2005 decision to withdraw Israeli citizens and soldiers from Gaza, while retaining control over its borders, airspace and utilities, a move right-wing parties blame for Hamas gaining power there in the 2006 election.

It was unclear, however, whether Netanyahu was foreseeing a prolonged takeover or a short-term operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing Israeli hostages. The prime minister's office declined to comment on the Channel 12 report.

China's 'great concern', Trump says 'up to Israel' 

China's deputy UN representative, Geng Shuang, expressed "great concern" about the reported plans and added: "We urge Israel to immediately halt such dangerous actions."

He called for a ceasefire and urged countries with influence to take concrete steps to help bring one about.

U.S. President Donald Trump declined to say whether the U.S., Israel's closest military ally, supported Netanyahu's plans.

"I know that we are there now trying to get people fed," Trump told reporters. "As far as the rest of it, I really can't say. That's going to be pretty much up to Israel."

Ahead of the UN meeting, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar addressed reporters at the UN and criticized countries that sought to pressure Israel by recognizing a "virtual" Palestinian state, saying this had "assassinated" a hostage deal and ceasefire and prolonged the war.

Three Group of Seven countries have announced plans to recognize Palestinian statehood. France and Canada have said they would do so in September at the U.N. General Assembly. Britain said it would also back Palestinian statehood in September unless Israel takes substantive steps to end suffering in Gaza, where it is fighting Hamas, and meets other conditions.

The U.S. ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, called a UN conference last week that saw dozens of ministers urge the world to work toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians an "unproductive publicity stunt," and said it had undercut the efforts of mediators.

Pressure tactic?

A Palestinian official said the suggestion of a full Israeli military takeover of Gaza may be a tactic to pressure Hamas into concessions, while the Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged foreign nations to take heed of the reports.

"The ministry urges countries and the international community to treat these leaks with utmost seriousness and to intervene urgently to prevent their implementation, whether these leaks are meant to exert pressure, test international reactions, or are genuine and serious," it said.

Israel's coalition government, the most right-wing and religiously conservative in its history, includes far-right politicians who advocate the annexation of both Gaza and the West Bank and encouraging Palestinians to leave their homeland. The International Court of Justice said in 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and should end soon.

Nearly two years of fighting in Gaza have strained Israel's military, which has a small standing army and has had to repeatedly mobilise reservists; some military leaders have warned against expanding the military occupation.

In a sign of differences between some members of Israel's ruling coalition and the military, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir challenged military head Zamir to state he would comply with government directives even if a decision was made to take all of Gaza.

The statement from Netanyahu's office said the Israeli Defense Forces were "prepared to implement any decision that will be made by the Political-Security Cabinet."