Israel's military chief has pushed back against Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to seize areas of Gaza it doesn't already control, three Israeli officials said, as the prime minister faces increasing pressure over the war both at home and abroad.

The new pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came as Gaza's Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll had surpassed 61,000.

The decision would mark a stunning escalation of the nearly 22-month war in the territory that has already been largely destroyed and where experts say famine is unfolding.