The Israeli government has not publicly called for large numbers of Gazans to move to Egypt. But in private, diplomats say, it has pushed for just that augmenting Palestinian fears of a permanent expulsion.
Israel’s leaders vowed to destroy Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, after the deadly Oct. 7 attack, and Israeli ground forces are closing in on the city from three directions.
The deal includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a top rival, Benny Gantz, in a wartime cabinet. Israeli warplanes struck Hamas targets in Gaza for a fifth day as more evidence emerged of the militant group’s atrocities.