Nationwide protests erupted throughout Israel on Sunday as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators called for the safe return of hostages still held in Gaza after nearly two years of war. The demonstrations amounted to one of the largest the country has seen since the start of the war in October 2023.

Protesters in Israel demanding the government make a deal to secure the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza escalated their campaign on Sunday, staging a nationwide strike that blocked traffic and closed businesses.

A Hamas source told AFP yesterday that the Palestinian group had agreed to a new proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, devastated by more than 22 months of war between the group and Israel.

Hamas has accepted a new ceasefire proposal for Gaza without requesting amendments, a source from the group told AFP Monday, after a fresh diplomatic push to end more than 22

Hamas negotiators in Cairo have received a new proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, a Palestinian official said Monday, with the prime minister of key mediator Qatar also in Egypt to push for a truce.