Negotiations for a truce deal between Israel and Palestinian terror group Hamas appeared to make little headway as fighting between the warring sides raged on in Gaza. Israel rebuffed demands from Hamas to permanently stop fighting in the besieged enclave, The Times of Israel reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his country's long-standing position on the war that the fighting wouldn't stop at all unless Hamas was "completely destroyed" and hostages were released safe and sound. He said Hamas was given "a simple choice -- either to surrender or die" as they did not "have any option".

(With inputs from agencies)