Tel Aviv, July 1 -- Israel's military chief, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, has advised cabinet ministers against ordering the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to expand operations in the Gaza Strip, warning that such moves could significantly endanger the lives of hostages still held by Hamas in the enclave, The Times of Israel reported Monday.

Zamir expressed concerns during a Sunday night meeting, highlighting that hostages face intensifying torture and grave abuse. "There is serious abuse of the hostages and their situation is grave," he said, according to sources cited by The Times of Israel.

Approximately fifty hostages remain in Gaza, with about twenty believed to still be alive. While Zamir emphasized his commitment to defeating Hamas, he cautio...