Israel is studying Hamas' response to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and release of half the hostages still held in Gaza, two Israeli officials said, although one source reiterated that all Israeli captives must be freed for the war to end.

With Hamas recently accepting an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire-hostage deal, the ball is back in Israel's court. How will Netanyahu choose to proceed? Israel is facing a major predicament as the Hamas terrorist organization has reportedly accepted the terms of an Egyptian proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the war in Gaza.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel said Friday it will intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City, drawing a dismissal from the militant group and renewed international calls to end the conflict, while stirring fears for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim confirmed the group's approval on Facebook. Hamas said other Palestinian factions informed mediators of their approval also.

Israelis continue to demand the release of hostages held by Hamas and an end to the Israel-Hamas war. Demonstrators do not want their government to take over Gaza and Orthodox Jews are protesting against army recruitment.

The proposition the militant group said it agreed to was nearly the same as one that had been offered by Israel last month.

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

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.