Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to meet with a small group of senior ministers on Thursday to discuss plans for the military to take control of more territory in Gaza, despite mounting criticism at home and abroad over the nearly two-year-old war there.

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas sail along the coast of Israeli southern city of Ashkelon towards the Gaza Strip, in a protest demanding their release from captivity and calling for an end to the war Thursday,