ISRAEL PUSHES FOR TRUCE ON ITS TERMS AS FORCES NEAR GAZA CITY

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene Israel's top decision-making forum on Tuesday to discuss prospects for a deal to wind down the almost two-year-old war in Gaza, while the army prepares for a final push into the Palestinian territory's biggest city.

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Hamas will be given until mid-September to agree to a ceasefire leading to the return of the remaining 50 Israeli hostages and the dismantling of what remains of its government and weapons, according to an aide to the Israeli premier, who asked not to be identified discussing a private matter.

Should Hamas fail to agree, Israel by then will have completed military preparations and the Gaza City operation will begin, the aide said.

Negotiations for a renewed ceasefire have dragged on for months, with little progress made.

Hamas says it might cede some power—but not weapons—under an open-ended truce.

Israel has said it's ready to dispatch negotiators for a new round of mediated talks, but neither a venue nor date have been set.