Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly angered his senior military officers by refusing to sign off on a plan to invade the Gaza Strip, because he wants more time to gain political agreement from his cabinet.

Israel has massed forces along the border of the 25-mile-long coastal enclave, but its political and military leaders are divided on how, when and whether to invade, it is claimed.

The Israeli prime minister has held off giving the green light for a ground offensive because he wants unanimous approval from his war cabinet, the New York Times reported.

On Friday night, Israel launched its heaviest bombardment of Gaza since the war began, in a possible prelude to another tank raid or a larger ground incursion.

While Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas after the October 7 attacks and Mr Netanyahu has said an invasion is in preparation, politicians are divided.

Some worry the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will be sucked into a difficult and grinding battle inside Gaza. Others fear Iran-backed Hezbollah will open a broader conflict from Lebanon.

There are also disagreements over whether the focus should be on freeing hostages, or destroying Hamas, and whether any offensive should be one large push, or a series of smaller operations.

Danny Danon, a senior politician from Mr Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party, told the paper: “You have a cabinet with different opinions. Some would say that we have to start – then we can think about the next stage.

“But we as the leadership, as statesmen, we have to set the goals, and the goals should be very clear,” he said. “It shouldn’t be vague.”