Israel says it will start talks to free all hostages as cabinet approves Gaza City assault https://t.co/CgCnoa77KP ...

Ceasefire Negotiations & Stance - Israel is reportedly going to begin ceasefire negotiations with Hamas in exchange for hostages being released [1] - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he would be moving ahead with negotiations to end the war and free the remaining hostages [3] - Netanyahu approved plans to expand military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip [5] - The Israeli government's position is to apply military pressure to force Hamas to be more flexible at the negotiating table [17][18] Conflicting Views & Challenges - Netanyahu and his top right-wing lieutenants previously stated they would not accept any deals that don't end with the release of all remaining hostages and the complete destruction of Hamas [4] - Expanded military operations could endanger the remaining hostages, thought to be about 20 [5] - Previous negotiations have been surrounded by optimism but ultimately failed [7] - Coalition partners may leave the government if Netanyahu agrees to a ceasefire [12] External Pressure & Internal Dynamics - Protests are erupting inside Israel and in the Gaza Strip, calling for an end to the fighting [2] - Netanyahu is feeling pressure from Israelis demanding an end to the war and the return of all hostages [9][10] - Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal, putting Netanyahu in a difficult position with the United States, Egypt, and Qatar [11] Hostage Release Strategies - The Israelis maintain that military pressure is the best way to release hostages [9] - Families of hostages argue that the majority of hostages have been released through exchanges, not military action [15] - The Gilad Shalit exchange, in which one Israeli soldier was released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians, is a point of contention [16][17]