Al-Hayek stresses that the Palestinian Authority should govern Gaza after the war and urges international backing for reconstruction. GAZA CITY - Munther Al-Hayek, spokesperson for the Palestinian Fatah Movement in the Gaza Strip,

More Palestinians are calling on Hamas to leave power and end the war with Israel after nearly two years of fighting — but the terror group is responding with extreme violence, reportedly executing critics inside the Gaza Strip,

The renewed push for a deal comes as Israeli forces are preparing for a new significant offensive focused on the occupation of Gaza City.

Families of hostages fear the coming offensive further endangers the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza, just 20 of them thought to still be alive.

In the past few days, Arab governments have urged Hamas to disarm and surrender control of Gaza, after a number of Western countries - including France and Canada - announced plans to recognise a state of Palestine. The UK said it would if Israel did not meet certain conditions by September.

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.

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

Israelis have staged a nationwide strike, with hundreds of thousands of people across the country calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage release deal. CBS News Middle East reporter Courtney Kealy has the latest.