Israel is taking the first steps in a new offensive against Hamas in Gaza City, sparking protests among families of Hamas hostages who fear it will endanger their lives. NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell reports.

Israel is studying Hamas' response to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and release of half the hostages still held in Gaza, two Israeli officials said, although one source reiterated that all Israeli captives must be freed for the war to end.

Israel will send call-ups to 50,000 to 60,000 reservists as part of its plans to occupy Gaza City, according to an Israeli military official.

Hamas said it has agreed to a deal proposed by Qatar and Egypt to pause the militant group’s war with Israel in Gaza, fueling optimism that a long-awaited breakthrough in negotiations could be close.

Hamas said that Israel's plan to relocate residents from Gaza City constitutes a "new wave of genocide and displacement" for hundreds of thousands.

Hamas informed the Egyptian and Qatari mediators that it had agreed to the latest Gaza hostage-ceasefire proposal on Monday. The latest Gaza ceasefire proposal agreed by Hamas is "almost identical" to an earlier plan put forward by US special envoy Steve Witkoff,

JERUSALEM (AP) — A key mediator on Tuesday stressed the urgency of brokering a ceasefire in Gaza after Hamas showed a “positive response” to a proposal, but Israel has yet to weigh in as its military prepares an offensive on some of the territory’s most populated areas.

As Israel expands operations in the enclave, Gazans increasingly voice defiance against Hamas, with dissenters risking their lives to demand freedom from the group’s grip.