Many Israelis feel that freeing the hostages cannot happen if the government refuses to come to terms with Hamas and pursues its policy of trying to eliminate the group militarily.

Families of hostages held in Gaza are stepping up their campaign to secure their release by holding a strike across Israel.

The State Department announced over the weekend it will be pausing visitor visas from Gaza over claims some recipients may have ties to terrorist groups.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S.-based charity HEAL Palestine and other rights groups criticized the State Department's decision to stop visitor visas for Palestinians from Gaza, saying it will harm wounded children seeking medical treatment on short-term U.

The move comes after far-right activist Laura Loomer drew attention to a video posted by the nonprofit HEAL Palestine and called the visas a “national security threat.”