Israeli officials say around 1,200 people were killed in the surprise Palestinian assault and 251 taken hostages, 58 of are believed to still be in Gaza. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has estimated that more than 54,600 people have been killed amid the Israeli operations that ensued.

Hayya, said in a pre-recorded speech on Thursday the group had not rejected the latest U.S. proposal for a ceasefire with Israel but demanded changes that would secure the end of the war in the enclave.

The latest friction in negotiations comes as the fighting nears 20 months of war, and as desperation grows among hungry Palestinians and relatives of hostages in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the U.N. Food Program said 77 trucks carrying aid were stopped by hungry people who took the food before the trucks were able to reach their destination.

The ceasefire plan, which has been approved by Israeli officials, won a cool initial reaction Thursday from the militant group.

Officials said Hamas was seeking changes on guarantees for a permanent end to war. That has long been the core sticking point with Israel.

A watchdog claims the U.K. warned of Hamas links in a Gaza aid program. The U.K. denies funds went to Hamas-run agencies, but critics call for greater transparency.

Hamas said on Saturday it had responded to a ceasefire proposal presented by U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to mediators and included a demand for an end to the war, which had previously been a red line for Israel.

While the militant group says it will release 10 living and 18 deceased hostages still held in Gaza, there appear to be other details that need to be worked out before a ceasefire is declared.

A senior Hamas official has slammed America's decision to exercise its veto power against a United Nations Security Council draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, arguing the decision ran contrary to the ideals that Washington purports to promote on the world stage.