By WAFAA SHURAFA, SALLY ABOU ALJOUD and MELANIE LIDMAN

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will give final approval for takeover of Gaza City while also restarting negotiations over hostages held by Hamas.

During a visit to the Israeli military’s Gaza command, Netanyahu said he had instructed officials to “begin immediate negotiations on the release of all our hostages and an end to the war on terms acceptable to Israel.”

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to give final approval Thursday for plans to take over Gaza City , an operation that could start within days. The widening of the 22-month offensive against Hamas

See Full Page