Agencies CAIRO/JERUSALEM

Israel’s military pounded Gaza City on Wednesday prior to a planned takeover, with another 123 people killed in 24 hours, according to the Gaza health ministry, while militant group Hamas held further talks with Egyptian mediators. The 24-hour death toll was the worst in a week and added to the massive fatalities from the nearly two-year war.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated an idea, also enthusiastically floated by US President Donald Trump, that Palestinians should simply leave. “They’re not being pushed out, they’ll be allowed to exit,” he told Israeli television channel ‘i24NEWS’.

“All those who are concerned for the Palestinians and say they want to help the Palestinians should open their gates and stop lecturing us.”

Hamas chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya’s meetings wi­th Egyptian officials in Cairo were to focus on stopping the war, delivering aid and “ending the suffering of our people in Gaza,” Hamas official Taher al-Nono said. Egyptian security sources said the talks would also discuss the possibility of a comprehensive cea­sefire that would see Hamas relinquish governance in Gaza and concede its weapons.

A Hamas official said the group was open to all ideas if Israel ends the war and pulls out. However, “Laying down arms before the occupation is dismissed, is impossible,” said the official.