Storyline: Israel is mulling over an expansion of military operations in Gaza to "demilitarize" the region as it believes its ceasefire negotiations with Hamas are on the brink of collapse, according to media reports on Thursday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with visiting Special U.S. Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff on Thursday for nearly three hours. Following their meeting, some Israeli media reported that due to Hamas's position and the imminent collapse of ceasefire negotiations, both Israel and the United States have agreed to abandon efforts for a short-term ceasefire and the partial release of hostages. Instead, they are now focused on a comprehensive plan to disarm Hamas, achieve the "demilitarization" of the Gaza Strip, and secure the release of all hostages. The Jerusalem Post reported that an Israeli official said that the feeling within the government is that the talks are nearing collapse and that an expanded military operation in Gaza now seems inevitable. Witkoff is scheduled to visit the Gaza Strip on Friday to check on the distribution points for aid supplies from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private organization supported by the United States and Israel. Hamas political bureau member Izzat al-Rishq said on Thursday that Witkoff's upcoming visit to the Gaza Strip is merely a "publicity stunt" meant to distract from the outrage over the famine caused by the United States and Israel. Rishq claimed that Witkoff will only see what Israel wants him to see and will be blind to how the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is actually supporting Israel's actions. Also on Thursday, Hamas said that the starvation war in the Gaza Strip has reached an unbearable level, posing a serious threat to over two million Palestinians. They urged the international community and all relevant parties to take immediate actions to stop the killings by Israel and to provide food unconditionally to all areas of Gaza. Hamas emphasized that they are ready to re-engage in negotiations as soon as aid arrives and the humanitarian crisis and famine in Gaza come to an end. They also stated that Israel unjustifiably pulled out of negotiations just as an agreement was within reach last week, and continuing talks under the current conditions of siege and famine would be pointless. A new round of indirect talks between Hamas and Israel resumed on July 6 in Doha amid international efforts to end the conflict that has devastated Gaza for more than 21 months. Shotlist: FILE: Tel Aviv, Israel - June 2021: 1. National flag of Israel FILE: Sderot, Israel - May 16, 2021: 2. Various of street view, national flags of Israel, city flags FILE: Israel - Nov 1, 2022: 3. Various of Israeli Parliament Knesset Gaza City, Gaza Strip - July 16, 2025: 4. Various of smoke rising following Israeli attacks Gaza Strip - July 14, 2025: 5. Various of damaged buildings Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip - July 23, 2025: 6. Various of Gaza residents collecting items from debris Gaza City, Gaza Strip - July 22, 2025: 7. Various of patients suffering starvation-related diseases being treated in hospital Gaza Strip - July 21, 2025: 8. Various of Gaza refugees scrambling to get food Gaza City, Gaza Strip - July 5, 2025: 9. Various of tents, Gaza residents walking on road. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]