Many Israelis feel that freeing the hostages cannot happen if the government refuses to come to terms with Hamas and pursues its policy of trying to eliminate the group militarily.

The State Department announced over the weekend it will be pausing visitor visas from Gaza over claims some recipients may have ties to terrorist groups.

The State Department said it was halting all visas for Palestinians from Gaza, including medical visas for children.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S.-based charity HEAL Palestine and other rights groups criticized the State Department's decision to stop visitor visas for Palestinians from Gaza, saying it will harm wounded children seeking medical treatment on short-term U.