National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi voiced opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to take over Gaza City on Thursday night, telling the security cabinet that he was “not prepared to give up on saving the hostages,” according to quotes reported by Channel 12 news.

“I don’t understand how someone who saw the videos of [hostages] Evyatar [David] and Rom [Braslavski] as well as all the others that were published before them can say: ‘Everything or nothing,'” he reportedly said.

There are 50 hostages left in Gaza, but only 20 of them are believed to still be alive. Multiple top security officials have reportedly warned the government the plan will risk their lives.

“The significance of this [decision] is giving up on the chance to immediately save 10 hostages,” Hanegbi said.

“A ceasefire will allow us to try and reach an agreement on the remaining 10. I agree completely with the IDF chief of staff that controlling Gaza City will endanger the lives of the hostages; therefore, I oppose the prime minister’s proposal,” the report quoted Hanegbi as adding.

He indicated he did not believe Hamas would soften its demands for a deal as a result of the Israel threats, saying “Hamas won’t adhere to this diktat.”

The report stated that, along with Hanegbi, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Mossad Chief David Barnea opposed the prime minister’s proposal.

Defense Minister Israel Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer supported it Channel 12 said.

The report quoted Dermer as saying, “If we receive a [new] deal offer, we’ll consider whether to halt [the offensive].”

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was quoted as responding: “If we’re not going for a full occupation and are doing it just for a deal, then it’s not worth it. If that’s the case, then the chief of staff’s plan is truly preferable.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, also of the far right, agreed. “We must not keep stopping halfway,” he said.........

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