Israeli officials say around 1,200 people were killed in the surprise Palestinian assault and 251 taken hostages, 58 of are believed to still be in Gaza. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has estimated that more than 54,600 people have been killed amid the Israeli operations that ensued.

(Reuters) -The head of Hamas in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, said in a pre-recorded speech on Thursday the group had not rejected the latest U.S. proposal for a ceasefire with Israel but demanded changes that would secure the end of the war in the enclave.

DUBAI (Reuters) -The U.S backed-Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said on Friday that all its aid distribution sites in the enclave were closed and a reopening date would be announced later, urging residents to stay away from these sites "for their safety".

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said a reopening date would be announced later and urged residents to stay away from these venues "for their safety."

The distribution of aid from a controversial new US- and Israel-backed organization into Gaza was paused for 24 hours on Wednesday after Palestinians en route to a distribution site came under fire for three straight days,

Israeli forces have returned the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages to their families following a special military operation in southern Gaza.

The couples' deaths were already known, having been announced in December 2023.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday morning that Israeli forces had recovered the bodies of two hostages held by Hamas.