Netanyahu announces Gaza seizure and new negotiations

During a visit to soldiers stationed in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said, according to his office: "I have come to confirm the army's plans to capture the city of Gaza and defeat Hamas." At the same time, he gave instructions to "immediately begin negotiations on the release of all our hostages and the end of the war on terms that are acceptable to Israel". Both go hand in hand.

Negotiations last interrupted

Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a new ceasefire have so far been unsuccessful and were recently interrupted. However, the international mediators - the USA, Qatar and Egypt - are attempting to resume contacts.

According to media reports, Netanyahu wanted to approve the operational plans for the capture of the city of Gaza at a security consultation with Defense Minister Israel Katz and military officials. At the beginning of the month, the security cabinet had approved the capture of the largest city on the coastal strip and the evacuation of the population to the south.

Hamas had given "positive response" to ceasefire proposal

The Islamist terrorist organization Hamas declared on Monday that it had given the mediators a "positive response" to a new proposal for a ceasefire. According to media reports, this is an adapted version of a previously negotiated proposal by US special envoy Steve Witkoff. This provides for a 60-day ceasefire, during which ten live hostages would be released in return for Palestinian prisoners. There are still a total of 50 hostages in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Israel has not yet sent an official response to the proposal.