ISRAEL TO START GAZA TRUCE TALKS — Netanyahu also approves Gaza City attack plan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed officials to begin “immediate negotiations” for the release of hostages in Gaza and an end to the war, while also vowing to approve military plans to seize Gaza City.
During a visit to a military base near the Palestinian enclave, Netanyahu said that he had come to approve the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) plans to take control of Gaza City and to defeat Hamas.
He added that he had given instructions to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all their hostages and an end to the war on terms acceptable to Israel.
Netanyahu did not say how or where the negotiations would begin. Israel’s Ynet news site, citing a senior official, reported that no delegation is expected to depart for Doha or Cairo at this stage.
The announcement came a day after the military mobilized 60,000 reservists and said 20,000 more would be called up in the coming days.
Earlier this week, Hamas agreed to a proposal put forward by Egyptian and Qatari mediators for a temporary truce and the release of hostages. Israel has not yet publicly issued an official response.
