Hamas
The move dashed hopes that diplomacy would stop Israel from carrying out its deeply controversial attack on Rafah, the last refuge for 1.5 million Palestinians. A U.S. official questioned whether Israel was acting "in good faith."
The Israeli military said it was conducting “targeted strikes” against Hamas in eastern Rafah.
Israel's defense minister vowed the military would carry out a "powerful operation in the near future in Rafah," threatening the prospect of a cease-fire deal.
A top U.N. official says there is now a full-blown famine in northern Gaza, while Israel insists it will launch an offensive into Rafah.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
After months of stop-and-start negotiations, cease-fire efforts between Israel and the Palestinian militant group appear to have reached a critical stage.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to launch an incursion into a Gaza city sheltering hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
The United States is stepping up pressure for a cease-fire deal in Gaza.
Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya gave no details of Israel's offer, but said it was in response to a proposal from Hamas two weeks ago.
The man was among scores of people abducted by the militants in the attack that ignited the war in Gaza.
U.S. hawks and Israel want the American ally to oust the Palestinian militants' political office. But rare HuffPost interviews with Hamas leaders suggest the move could fail to pressure them.