Israel poised to order new Gaza war plan

ISRAEL'S Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared yesterday to unveil an updated Gaza war plan designed to destroy Hamas and secure the release of dozens of hostages, with Israeli media reporting he would order the total occupation of the Palestinian territory.

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Netanyahu was expected to meet security chiefs in Jerusalem to issue new orders, even as Israel's diplomats convened a UN Security Council meeting in New York to highlight the plight of Israelis held in Gaza.

The timing of the security meeting has not been officially confirmed. Netanyahu said this week that it would be "in the coming days".

Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 said Netanyahu would meet the army chief of staff, and the defence and army ministers.

Unnamed senior officials told Israeli media he intends to order the reoccupation of Gaza.

"Netanyahu wants the Israeli army to conquer the entire Gaza Strip," said a report on public broadcaster Kan.

"Several cabinet members who spoke with the prime minister confirmed that he has decided to extend the fight to areas where hostages might be held."

The private daily Maariv declared: "The die is cast. We're en route for the total conquest of Gaza."

While the reconquest plan has not been officially confirmed, it has already drawn an angry response from the Palestinian Authority and Gaza's Hamas-run government, which insisted it will not shift its position on ceasefire talks.