India, Aug. 22 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said he was going to approve the military's plan to take over Gaza City while at the same time ordering the resumption of immediate negotiations to free the remaining hostages.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army continued to hammer the region's largest city ahead of a major planned offensive.

"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 statement. He added, "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."

The calls for renewed negotiations come just a day after the defence...