From BBC News.

A senior Hamas official has said there is "no point" in further talks on a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, after Israel approved an expanded offensive that may include seizing all of the Palestinian territory indefinitely.

Bassem Naim told the BBC the armed group would not engage with new proposals while Israel continued its "starvation war".

On Monday, the Israeli military said the aim of the "wide-scale" operation was the return of hostages held by Hamas and its "decisive defeat".

Israeli officials said it would involve "capturing" Gaza, displacing the majority of its population, and taking control of aid after a two-month blockade the UN says has caused severe food shortages.

The officials also said the offensive would not begin until after US President Donald Trump’s visit to the region next week, giving Hamas what they called a "window of opportunity" to agree to a deal.

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