Large crowds of Israelis took to the streets on Sunday, launching a nationwide grassroots strike and widespread protests to demand the government secure the release of 50 hostages still in Gaza.

Mediators were awaiting an Israeli response Tuesday to a fresh Gaza ceasefire plan, a day after Hamas accepted the proposal and signalled its readiness for a new round of talks aimed at ending nearly two years of war.

The fragile negotiations between Israel and Hamas have once again entered a decisive phase, marked by the unveiling of a new ceasefire-hostage release proposal brokered by Egypt and Qatar.

Nearly two years of demonstrations have failed to push Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal with Hamas that would end the war and free the remaining captives.

Saudi media reports that Gaza's terror groups are considering moving the living hostages to Gaza City in an effort to stop Israel from conquering the city. Israeli sources dismiss reports as propaganda.

Israel called an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to demand the release of its emaciated hostages including one seen digging his own grave.

Israeli actress Gal Gadot embraces hostage families at Tel Aviv square, meeting with wives and mothers of those abducted during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

Hamas’s declared plan to relocate hostages into Gaza City to use them as human shields may present a serious deterrent to an IDF operation into the city, Lt.-Col. (Res.) Alon Eviatar, an expert in Palestinian affairs, said on Monday.