Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he has ordered officials to open “immediate negotiations” aimed at releasing all hostages held in Gaza and securing a cease-fire under conditions he described as acceptable to Israel. In the same statement, Netanyahu announced he had approved Israel Defense Forces plans to capture Gaza City and “defeat Hamas,” signalling a major ground offensive that could begin within days. An Israeli official told Xinhua the security cabinet is expected to give final authorisation on Thursday night. The military has already mobilised 60,000 reservists and extended the service of another 20,000, and says it now holds operational control over about three-quarters of the enclave. Gaza’s Health Ministry puts the Palestinian death toll from the war at 62,192, with more than 157,000 wounded. Netanyahu argued the dual tracks of intensified military pressure and renewed diplomacy “go hand in hand.” Hamas earlier this week said it had accepted an Egyptian-Qatari mediation proposal for a temporary truce and prisoner exchange, but Israel has yet to issue an official response.