Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the cabinet's early morning decision to approve the capture of Gaza City, defining it as a "disaster." Lapid stated that "in complete contradiction to the opinion of the military and security officials, without considering the wear and exhaustion of the fighting forces, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich dragged Netanyahu into a move that will lead to the death of hostages, the killing of many soldiers, will cost tens of billions and lead to diplomatic collapse." Lapid added: "This is exactly what Hamas wanted, for Israel to get stuck in territory without a purpose, in a useless occupation that no one understands where it leads."

