A key mediator on Tuesday stressed the urgency of brokering a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after Hamas showed a “positive response” to a proposal from Arab countries, but Israel has yet to weigh in as its military prepares an offensive in some of the territory's most populated areas.

Israel launched initial operations to seize Gaza City, calling up reservists as Netanyahu rejected truce efforts. Hamas accused him of blocking peace while international critics warned of mass Palestinian displacement and casualties.