Netanyahu says Israel open to Gaza talks if Hamas disarms, relinquishes control

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that Israel is prepared to negotiate an end to the conflict in Gaza, but only if Hamas surrenders its weapons and relinquishes control of the besieged enclave.

He said military pressure on Hamas was proving effective, weakening the group's military and governance capabilities while creating conditions for the release of Israeli hostages. Netanyahu said the security cabinet had decided overnight to escalate military pressure.