Israel's defence minister says Gaza City will be destroyed if Hamas does not agree to disarm and release all hostages, BBC reported.

Israel Katz's comments came after the Israeli cabinet approved plans for a massive assault on Gaza City, despite widespread international and domestic opposition. 

On Monday, Hamas agreed to a proposal by Qatari and Egyptian mediators for a 60-day ceasefire, which according to Qatar would see the release of half of the remaining hostages in Gaza, according to BBC.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apparently rejected this, saying he had instructed negotiations to begin for the release of all remaining hostages and an end to the war in Gaza on terms "acceptable to Israel".