Israel said it had scaled up a ground offensive in northern Gaza as part of an operation to extend so-called "security zones" that provide a protective buffer along the border with Israel.

Members of the Abu Samra clan — a known family in central Gaza — admitted to killing the Hamas operative in Deir al-Balah on Tuesday after he gunned down their relative earlier in the

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the pressure on Gaza would increase until the remaining hostages were returned to Israel. “The more they do not give (back the hostages), the more the pressure will increase until they do,” vowed the Israeli Prime Minster in a video statement released on Wednesday.

Hamas decided not to respond or engage with Israel's counter-proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, an official told Reuters on Wednesday, affirming it is committed to the mediators' plan instead. Israel said on March 29 it conveyed to the mediators a counter-proposal in full coordination with the U.

A Palestinian protester opposed to Hamas' rule over the Gaza Strip was beaten and tortured to death following a demonstration last week, according to reports.

Hamas is hiding behind civilians to maximize sympathetic global emotions. Why should anyone buy their claims?

A Gaza family's open admission this week that they killed an officer from the Hamas-run police force after they said a relative was shot dead has added to signs of popular dissent against the militant group after 18 months of war with Israel.