Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday night that he had approved plans to conquer Gaza City and destroy Hamas, while stressing that negotiations on a ceasefire-for-hostages deal would move forward in parallel.

“We are at the stage of decision,” Netanyahu said. “I came today to the [military’s] Gaza Division to approve the plans presented to me and the defense minister by the IDF to take control of Gaza City and to defeat Hamas.”

He added that he had instructed officials to pursue talks to secure the release of the 50 hostages still held by Palestinian terrorists in the enclave.

“At the same time, I directed to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and to end the war under conditions acceptable to Israel. These two things—defeating Hamas an

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