Israel is making plans for a potential major ground offensive in Gaza that would involve sending tens of thousands of troops into combat to clear and occupy large swaths of the enclave, an Israeli official and a second source familiar with the matter said.

Israel killed two members of Hamas’ de facto cabinet during a renewed Gaza offensive aimed at eliminating the Iran-backed militant group’s role as a military and governing force. That brought to 11 the death toll within the 20-person forum.