approved plans for a massive assault on Gaza City, despite widespread international and domestic opposition. On Monday, Hamas agreed to a proposal by Qatari and Egyptian mediators for a 60-day ceasefire, which according to Qatar would see the release of half of the remaining hostages in Gaza. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apparently rejected this, saying he had instructed negotiations to begin for the release of all remaining hostages and an end to the war in Gaza on terms "acceptable to Israel". Israel believes that only 20 of the 50 hostages are still alive after 22 months of war.

Israeli media has cited an Israeli official as saying negotiators will be dispatched for renewed talks once a location has been determined. In a video statement during a visit to the Gaza division's headquarters in Israel on Thursday night, Netanyahu said he had "instructed to immediately begin negotiations for the release of all our hostages".

"I have come to approve the IDF's [Israel Defense Forces] plans to take control of Gaza City and defeat Hamas," he said. "These two matters - defeating Hamas and releasing all our hostages - go hand in hand," Netanyahu added, without providing details about what the next stage of talks would entail. Reinforcing Netanyahu's message, Defence Minister Katz posted on social media on Friday: "Soon, the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamas's murderers and rapists in Gaza - until they agree to Israel's conditions for ending the war, primarily the release of all hostages and their disarmament. "If they do not agree, Gaza, the capital of Hamas, will become Rafah and Beit Hanoun," he added. Both cities have been reduced to ruins following Israeli military operations. (BBC)