Palestinians and family members of hostages who were killed in captivity have been imploring the Israeli government and world leaders for a ceasefire deal.

Qatar has sent Israel "a positive message" regarding Hamas's intentions to move forward in negotiations on a hostage and ceasefire deal, according to a Friday report from Israeli public broadcaster KAN.

The Israeli government is hoping for carte blanche from President-elect Donald Trump on several issues, including combatting Hamas and attacking Iran’s nuclear program.

The United Nations and Israel are arguing over who must fill the gap if U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA stops working in the Gaza Strip and West Bank later this month when an Israeli law comes into force.

While other fronts have quieted with the ceasefire signed between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement in November and the fall of the Iran-aligned Syrian government the following month, Ansar Allah has defied strikes conducted by Israel, the United Kingdom and the United States to maintain operations until a ceasefire was reached in Gaza.

Israel and Hamas are once again struggling to reach a ceasefire that could wind down the 15-month war in Gaza and bring home dozens of Israelis held hostage

Israel says Hamas has not provided any information about the status of those 34 hostages, dampening any notion that the endorsement is a step toward a deal to stop the war.

Since Israel and Hamas went to war, reporters and editors at The New York Times have closely covered the conflict. Our coverage includes the Hamas-led attack on Israel, the plight of hostages ...

The White House is hoping to see a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas concluded before Joe Biden leaves office, Antony Blinken has said.

Relatives of hostages are pressuring Israel's government to reach a ceasefire with Hamas. Hamas has reportedly agreed on a list of 34 names of hostages still held in Gaza-- the people who would be freed should the ceasefire deal with the Israeli government currently under discussion in Qatar go ahead.

Israel's defense minister said Wednesday that troops have recovered the body of one hostage from Gaza and is verifying another possible body.