ISRAEL’S NETANYAHU REJECTS HAMAS CEASEFIRE DEAL, ORDERS PREPARATION FOR MASSIVE GAZA ASSAULT WHILE PUSHING NEW HOSTAGE TALKS

Israeli Prime Minister, BENJAMIN NETANYAHU says he has instructed negotiations to begin for the release of all remaining hostages and an end to the war in Gaza on terms “acceptable to Israel”.

 NETANYAHU told Israeli troops on Thursday night that his cabinet had also approved plans for a massive assault on Gaza City in the north of the territory, despite widespread international and domestic opposition.

 Recall that Hamas had on Monday agreed to a proposal drawn up by Qatari and Egyptian mediators for a 60-day ceasefire, which according to Qatar would see the release of half of the remaining hostages in Gaza.

 But responding for the first time, NETANYAHU said he has not accepted the deal currently on the table.