Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has stressed the urgency of seizing any opportunity to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, as momentum builds around a proposed 60-day ceasefire.

His remarks came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump called on Hamas to agree to a truce, which he said has the support of the Israeli government.

Saar, in a message posted on X, did not directly address Trump’s statement but noted that “a vast majority of the government and Israeli public supports efforts to free the captives,” adding, “If the chance arises, it must not be missed!”

The latest push for a truce comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens.

Nearly 21 months of relentless conflict have devastated the territory, where over two million residents face worsening conditions. On Wednesday alone, at least 14 people were reported killed in Israeli airstrikes, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.

Among the casualties were five members of the same family in the Al-Mawasi region an area designated by Israel as a safe zone in late 2023, yet frequently targeted.

Graphic scenes from Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis showed medics attending to injured children, some wrapped in bloodied bandages.

More fatalities were recorded in Gaza City and Deir el-Balah, where airstrikes and drone attacks struck residential areas, killing nine people in total from two families.

With media access restricted and rescue operations hampered, independent verification remains a challenge.

The Israeli military, when approached for comment, said it lacked specific details on the reported incidents but reiterated its operations are focused on dismantling Hamas infrastructure and are conducted in line with international law, with efforts made to minimize civilian casualties.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Trump confirmed that Israel had agreed to the terms of a 60-day ceasefire, urging Hamas to accept what he described as a final offer mediated by Qatar and Egypt.

“For the sake of the Middle East, I hope Hamas takes this deal there won’t be a better one,” Trump said.

He also announced plans to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week, signaling renewed U.S. engagement in the peace process.

The war erupted after Hamas militants launched a deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,219 people, mostly civilians.

In response, Israel launched a sweeping military campaign that has since claimed over 56,600 lives in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry—figures recognized by the United Nations.

Of the 251 hostages taken during the initial attack, Israeli authorities say 49 remain in Gaza, including 27 believed to be deceased.