Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the army’s plan to capture Gaza City on Thursday. At the same time, he instructed officials to restart talks for the release of hostages.

"I have come to approve the IDF's (military's) plans to take control of Gaza City and defeat Hamas," Netanyahu said in a video. He continued, "At the same time, I have instructed to immediately begin negotiations for the release of all our hostages and the end of the war under conditions acceptable to Israel."

Meanwhile, the defense ministry had already approved the call-up of 60,000 reservists to join the operation.

Talks Stalled Over Hostages

So far, Netanyahu has not shared details about the negotiations. However, he stressed that "defeating Hamas and releasing all our hostages go hand in hand."

Earlier this week, Hamas accepted a new ceasefire proposal. According to Palestinian sources cited by AFP, the plan included a phased release of hostages. Yet Israel has insisted that all captives must be freed at once.

Hamas Reacts Strongly

In response, Hamas condemned Israel’s takeover plan. The group accused Israel of dismissing mediation efforts.

"Today's announcement by the terrorist occupation army of the start of an operation against Gaza City and its nearly one million residents and displaced persons... demonstrates... a blatant disregard for the efforts made by the mediators," Hamas said.

Furthermore, the Red Cross also joined international critics and called Israel’s actions "intolerable."

Military Offensive Expands

Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced that the second phase of "Gideon’s Chariots" had started. Officials said reservists would begin reporting in early September.

On Thursday, an airstrike hit the northern edges of Gaza City. Thick smoke rose over the area. Later in the afternoon, more explosions were heard near the border.

"We are advancing with the efforts toward operations in Gaza City," military chief Eyal Zamir told troops. He added, "We already have troops operating on the outskirts of the city, and more forces will join them later on."

In addition, the military said it had asked hospitals in northern Gaza to evacuate staff and move equipment to the south.

Pushback from Gaza and the UN

However, the Gaza health ministry rejected the order. It said it would not take "any step that would undermine what remains of the health system after the systematic destruction carried out by the occupation authorities."

At the same time, the UN humanitarian agency warned that Israel’s plan to expand operations in Gaza City would have a "horrific humanitarian impact" on civilians already facing exhaustion and displacement.