Palestinians and family members of hostages who were killed in captivity have been imploring the Israeli government and world leaders for a ceasefire deal.

The United Nations and Israel are arguing over who must fill the gap if U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA stops working in the Gaza Strip and West Bank later this month when an Israeli law comes into force.

The Israeli government is hoping for carte blanche from President-elect Donald Trump on several issues, including combatting Hamas and attacking Iran’s nuclear program.

Israel and Hamas are once again struggling to reach a ceasefire that could wind down the 15-month war in Gaza and bring home dozens of Israelis held hostage

While other fronts have quieted with the ceasefire signed between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement in November and the fall of the Iran-aligned Syrian government the following month, Ansar Allah has defied strikes conducted by Israel, the United Kingdom and the United States to maintain operations until a ceasefire was reached in Gaza.

A renewed push is underway to reach a ceasefire in the 15-month war and return Israeli hostages before Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

The White House is hoping to see a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas concluded before Joe Biden leaves office, Antony Blinken has said.

Two Palestinian former detainees who were recently released from Israel’s notorious Sde Teiman detention center said they saw the prominent Palestinian physician Hussam Abu Safiya there last month, saying he was in “poor condition” when he arrived.

PA's Jenin offensive is driven by fear that Trump will be drawn to a plan floated by UAE to install a different ruling elite

Burns says hostages, Palestinian civilians living in 'hellish conditions' in Gaza * IDF says it carried out drone strike on Hezbollah operatives loading vehicle with weapons; 5 killed