The plan exposed divisions in Israel’s war cabinet as Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken returned to the Middle East on Friday in an effort to ease escalating tensions.
Amid global pressure to reach a cease-fire and fears of a widening regional war, Israel says it will continue to fight in Gaza until Hamas is defeated.
The American defense secretary reiterated “unshakable” support for Israeli security, but said protecting Palestinians was a “moral duty and a strategic imperative.”
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, apologized for accusing military and security officials of lapses that led to the Hamas massacre but declined to accept responsibility himself.