Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will begin Gaza ceasefire negotiations to end the war and bring home hostages held by Hamas. NBC News’ Matt Bradley joins Chris Jansing from Tel Aviv to report the latest details.

Many Gaza residents have chosen to stay despite the danger, fearing nowhere is safe in a territory facing shortages of food, water and other necessities.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to give final approval Thursday for plans to take over Gaza City, an operation that could start within days. The widening of the 22-month offensive against Hamas appears to be proceeding despite protests in both Israel and the Palestinian enclave.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday authorised a military plan to seize Gaza City and approved the mobilisation of nearly 60,000 reservists. The decision comes even as international mediators await Israel’s formal reply to a ceasefire framework backed by Hamas.

Displaced residents of Gaza City are split over a potential ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that could allow them to return to their homes.

With Hamas recently accepting an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire-hostage deal, the ball is back in Israel's court. How will Netanyahu choose to proceed? Israel is facing a major predicament as the Hamas terrorist organization has reportedly accepted the terms of an Egyptian proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the war in Gaza.

Some members of Israel’s coalition have ruled out a proposed hostage deal with Hamas, but the prime minister has yet to state his position.