Israel mulls full Gaza annexation as more die of starvation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu favours a complete military takeover of Gaza, media reported, and was to meet senior security officials on Tuesday to finalise a new strategy in the 22-month war.

Mediation between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas has collapsed despite intense international pressure for a ceasefire to ease hunger and appalling conditions in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Eight more people died of starvation or malnutrition in the past 24 hours, Gaza’s health ministry said, while another 79 died in the latest Israeli fire.

Netanyahu was to meet Defence Minister Israel Katz and military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to decide on a strategy to take to cabinet later this week, an Israeli official told the media. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a confidant of Netanyahu, would also be present. Annexation would reverse a 2005 decision to pull settlers and military out of Gaza while retaining control over its borders.