Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved the takeover of Gaza City by the Israel Defense Force and called for negotiating the release of hostages.

Israel — which already controls 75 percent of the Gaza Strip, according to its own estimation — appeared to be moving full steam ahead toward the conquest of Gaza City. The IDF issued call-up orders Wednesday for some 60,

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said 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".