Israeli forces have withdrawn to buffer zones inside Gaza, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza and hundreds of trucks of aid entered daily until Israel cut off supplies to the territory's 2 million people two weeks ago. Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others.

Hamas says it has accepted a proposal from mediators to release a living American Israeli hostage and the bodies of four dual nationals. Israel expresses immediate doubt.

A man convicted over his role in a deadly 2002 bombing was released in one of the recent cease-fire exchanges, which have created intense, conflicting emotions for Israelis and Palestinians.