In Israel, tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated until midnight, demanding a deal to bring back the hostages, ahead of further ceasefire talks.

Demonstrators in Tel Aviv chanted "war is not sacred, it is life" and some accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to prolong the conflict.

This happened as a Hamas delegation met with mediators in Egypt on Saturday.

The group said there were no new developments, but added that "a new round begins."

Negotiators have resumed long-running negotiations in Cairo to suspend Israeli attacks and release hostages - mediated by Egypt and Qatar. The key issue is whether the transaction is temporary or permanent.

Whether the terms being considered include a 40-day cessation of fighting while hostages are freed and the release of some Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

An adviser to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said the group was "taking full serious consideration" of the latest proposal.

But he reiterated his demand that any deal must explicitly include Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and a complete end to the war.

An anonymous Israeli government official told local media on Saturday that Israel "will never agree to end the war as part of a deal to release our abductees."

They added, "The IDF will enter Rafah and destroy the remaining Hamas battalions, with or without a pause in releasing our prisoners."

Mr. Netanyahu faces pressure from within the right-wing coalition to go ahead with a promised offensive on the southern tip of Gaza, where an estimated 14 million people have fled the fighting and taken refuge in southern Gaza City.

The United States, Israel's biggest diplomatic and military ally, is reluctant to support new attacks that cause mass civilian casualties and demands to first see a plan to protect displaced people.

Saturday's demonstrations in Israel were the latest manifestation of the increasing domestic pressure Mr. Netanyahu faces to take back the hostages.

Of the 252 people kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 128 are still missing, and at least 34 of them are believed to have died.

Nathalie Eldor, a Tel Aviv protester, told Reuters: "We are supporting the deal now, yesterday."

"We have to bring back all the hostages, living and dead. We have to replace the government," she added.

Some people gathered at Tel Aviv's Kiriya military base accused the prime minister of obstructing a proposed ceasefire, while others called for an end to the war.

Commenting on the prospect of a ceasefire on Saturday, Minister Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war cabinet, said: "We have not yet received an official response to the proposal. If it is accepted - the war management cabinet will meet to discuss it ." said.

"In the meantime, we suggest 'political sources' and all decision-makers to wait for official updates, remain calm and avoid politically motivated hysteria," he added. I did.

Ceasefire talks have been going on for several months, but there has been no breakthrough, and there has been no cessation of fighting or release of hostages since late November.

There have been moments when it seemed like a new deal was on the horizon, only to collapse before it could be signed.

Sources familiar with the BBC say this latest round of negotiations remains complex and could take several days before a breakthrough is reached.

Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations World Food Program has warned that northern Gaza is now facing "total famine".

Cindy McCain warned that the devastating situation in the region was spreading south in an interview with American media.

"What we're asking for, and we've asked repeatedly, is to get a ceasefire and safe access," McCain said.

Bowen: Israel denies famine is looming in Gaza, but the evidence is overwhelming

The war began after a wave of Hamas gunmen poured into Israel from Gaza on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. This group has been designated as a terrorist organization by many Western countries.

In the ensuing Israeli military campaign in Gaza, more than 34,600 Palestinians were killed and more than 77,900 injured, according to figures from Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry.

Additional reporting by Anna Foster and Andre Roden-Paul

This article looks at the ceasefire and hostage release negotiations between Israel and Hamas, the demonstrations and political pressure within Israel, the complexities of the negotiations, and the issue of starvation in northern Gaza.