Jerusalem, Jan 15 (NationPress) The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refuted media claims on Wednesday that Hamas has given its final consent to a ceasefire-for-hostage agreement.

"Hamas hasn't yet responded to the proposal," the office stated.

Earlier reports from Israel's state-run Kan TV suggested that Hamas had shown a favorable reaction to the draft agreement, although several technical aspects remain unresolved.

On Wednesday, Netanyahu convened with Bezalel Smotrich, a significant far-right figure in his coalition, to gain support from him and his Religious Zionism party for the deal, as reported by Xinhua.

Another influential partner, ultranationalist Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has voiced strong opposition to the pact, advocating for ongoing military operations in Gaza. Nevertheless, Netanyahu has managed to garner majority backing within both the cabinet and the government, despite opposition from both parties, according to Israeli media sources.

Efforts to engage in indirect discussions between Israel and Hamas have been ongoing but have largely stalled for nearly a year, aimed at concluding over 15 months of conflict that has wreaked havoc in Gaza and destabilized the region.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have intensified their offensive in Gaza, reportedly striking about 50 locations since early Wednesday, according to Israeli officials.

A joint statement from the Israeli Shin Bet domestic security agency and the military indicated that airstrikes targeted militants, weapons storage sites, underground facilities, anti-tank fire positions, and Hamas military installations.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defence Authority in Gaza, reported the recovery of seven bodies and the rescue of many injured individuals following an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Farabi School, which was struck by at least one missile. He noted that the school, located in the Yarmouk area west of Gaza City, was sheltering displaced persons.

The Israeli statement confirmed the attack, asserting that it aimed at a militant "who held a central role" and was hiding in the building, which they described as "a command and control center" for operations targeting Israeli forces in Gaza.

Over 46,700 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israel's retaliatory military campaign, triggered by a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 individuals and the kidnapping of roughly 250 others. Currently, it is believed that 98 hostages remain in Gaza.