President Donald Trump said the remaining hostages will only return once Hamas is "confronted and destroyed" as Israel plans to expand its Gaza offensive.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that Gaza ceasefire efforts are now focused on a comprehensive deal to release all the remaining hostages at once. The plan previously being pushed was for an initial 60-day truce and partial release of living hostages.

A nationwide strike commenced in Israel as several hundred thousand people protested, demanding the government secure the release of 50 hostages still in Gaza held by the militant group Hamas.

President Donald Trump said Monday morning that the remaining hostages in Gaza will only be returned when Hamas is “confronted and destroyed.”

TEL AVIV/JERUSALEM, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Thousands of Israelis took part in a nationwide strike on Sunday in support of families of hostages held in Gaza, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement with Hamas to end the war and release the remaining captives.

Their bodies were found by the IDF in the Hamas tunnel last year in August, after enduring horrific conditions, including torture and starvation. A memorial ceremony of prayer and song for slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin took place on Tuesday in Jerusalem,

Hostages Families Forum reaches out to Red Cross, World Health Organization, and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Right on World Humanitarian Day.

At the heart of Tel Aviv, thousands gathered at ‘Hostages Square,’ waving banners, portraits and flags demanding the release of those still held in Gaza and an end to war. Among them stood Pushpa Joshi, sister of Nepali national Bipin Joshi, who has been held hostage by Hamas, her voice breaking as she addressed the crowd.