It comes a day after Hamas said it accepted a proposal for a 60-day truce, during which around half of the 50 hostages would be freed.

A nationwide strike commenced in Israel as several hundred thousand people protested, demanding the government secure the release of 50 hostages still in Gaza held by the militant group Hamas.

Groups representing families of hostages organized the demonstrations as frustration grows in Israel over plans for a new military offensive in some of Gaza's most populated areas.