Israel hammered Gaza City and its outskirts overnight, residents said Thursday, as the military announced it had taken initial steps in its push to capture Hamas's last major stronghold. Gaza City residents described relentless bombardments overnight.

Israel has begun the "first stages of the attack on Gaza City" on Wednesday as it plans to call up to 50,000 to 60,000 reservists in order to occupy the city, according to Israel Defense Forces spokesman Eddie Defrin and an Israeli military official.

With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yet to make a decision on a temporary ceasefire proposal, maneuvers are underway around the Gaza Strip's largest city, which the army calls a Hamas 'stronghold.' More than 120,

Qatar has stressed the urgency of brokering a ceasefire in Gaza after Hamas showed a “positive response” to a proposal from Arab countries, but Israel has yet to weigh in as its military prepares an offensive in some of the territory's most densely populated areas.

Israel’s government has ordered a military takeover of Gaza City in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a final push to topple Hamas after almost two years of war. The decision was followed by an Aug.

"Israel's policy is consistent and has not changed. Israel demands the release of all 50 hostages in accordance with the principles established by the cabinet for ending the war. We are in the final decisive stage of Hamas and will not leave any hostage behind," an Israeli political source said.

CAIRO: Hamas negotiators in Cairo have received a new proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, a Palestinian official said on Monday (Aug 18), with the prime minister of key mediator Qatar also in Egypt to push for a truce.

DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip — Qatar has suspended its key mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel, it said Saturday, after growing frustration with the lack of progress on a cease-fire deal for ...