Netanyahu says Israel to begin Gaza ceasefire negotiations, authorizes ground offensive

Starting in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel will begin ceasefire negotiations aimed at releasing all hostages and ending the Gaza war on conditions acceptable to Israel.

Addressing Israeli commanders and troops in Gaza on Thursday, Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed the authorization for an expansion of military operations aimed at seizing Gaza City. He also announced the initiation of new "immediate" ceasefire negotiations with Hamas.

Netanyahu said these negotiations aim to achieve "an end to the war and the release of all our hostages," but he insisted that the terms must be acceptable to Israel.

While Hamas has proposed a 60-day ceasefire along with a prisoner exchange, Israel's conditions remain the complete disarmament of Hamas and the end of its military control over Gaza.

Netanyahu highlighted a dual-track strategy of both military pressure and diplomatic dialogue, evidenced by the mobilization of 60,000 reservists and the planned ground offensive to seize Gaza City.

The Israeli military has warned medical officials and international organizations to prepare for evacuation of nearly one million residents of Gaza City ahead of the new ground operations.