Senior military officers are beginning to back a once-unthinkable idea of deploying a multinational force in Gaza. Previous opposition to the idea was based on doubts that it would prevent terrorists from attacking Israel and fears that it would prevent Israel from being able to attack terrorists.

However, the major question defense officials are asking now is whether the force should be deployed before or after a possible major IDF ground offensive in Gaza, according to the Hebrew daily Haaretz. The Arab world is divided on the idea, and Hamas previously has rejected it.