Even with ceasefire talks ongoing, Israel is pressing ahead with plans to capture Gaza City, the densely populated heart of the enclave. Mr Netanyahu confirmed earlier this month that the security cabinet had approved an operation to retake the city despite growing international condemnation.

Hamas has agreed to a cease-fire proposal calling for the terror group to free more than half of the remaining hostages in Gaza, including 10 living captives, in exchange for a 60-day truce,