The announcement comes amid mounting international pressure, as leaders from the UK, France and Canada have threatened to impose sanctions on Israel over its continued military offensive in the Palestinian territory.

In a first, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that Tel Aviv is open to ‘ending the war’ in Gaza—if Hamas agrees to key conditions.

Britain, France and Canada, all powerful supporters of Israel, called plans for an escalation of the Gaza war “disproportionate” and “egregious.”