Few of the Israelis taken hostage in the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, have drawn as much attention as the Bibas family — two parents and two small children. For many Israelis, their abductions came to symbolize the brutality of the assault.

JERUSALEM (AP) — A key mediator on Tuesday stressed the urgency of brokering a ceasefire in Gaza after Hamas showed a “positive response” to a proposal, but Israel has yet to weigh in as its military prepares an offensive on some of the territory’s most populated areas.

A key mediator on Tuesday stressed the urgency of brokering a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after Hamas showed a “positive response” to a proposal from Arab countries, but Israel has yet to weigh in as its military prepares an offensive in some of the territory’s most populated areas.

Hamas said that Israel's plan to relocate residents from Gaza City constitutes a "new wave of genocide and displacement" for hundreds of thousands.

Polls show that close to 80% of Israelis support stopping the fighting in exchange for the return of hostages, but the government plans to expand it.