Ousted Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is heaping pressure on the man who fired him just days ago. He reportedly accuses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of keeping troops in the Gaza Strip for no reason.

Gallant was speaking on Thursday, two days after being removed from his post over disagreements with Netanyahu about military operations.

Multiple Israeli media outlets quoted Gallant during a meeting with families of people held captive by Hamas.

He reportedly told them there is no reason why a hostages-for-peace agreement cannot be reached.

He also reportedly said "there was no security reason" for Israeli forces to remain in southern areas of Gaza bordering Egypt.

Criticism is mounting against Netanyahu's hardline approach to the conflict, and Gallant's remarks could spark more calls for a peace deal.

Still, Israeli troops are intensifying their offensive in northern Gaza.

Military officials said on Thursday that they had launched an airstrike on a school being used by Hamas fighters.

Palestinian media say the attack killed 10 people, adding that the building housed displaced civilians.

Reports also say bombardments in the city of Jabalia left 27 people dead, including women and children.

Negotiations on a peace deal between Israel and Hamas remain stalled.