Rifts are emerging among top Israeli officials over the handling of the war against Hamas in Gaza. A member of the country’s War Cabinet cast doubt over the strategy for releasing hostages, and the country’s prime minister rejected the US’ calls to scale back its offensive. Only a cease-fire deal can win the release of dozens of hostages still held by Islamic militants in Gaza, and claims they could be freed by other means was spreading “illusions,” said former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, one of four members of the War Cabinet, in his first public statements on the course of the war.

Damaged buildings in Gaza Strip. Pics/AP