Some members of Israel’s coalition have ruled out a proposed hostage deal with Hamas, but the prime minister has yet to state his position.

The Hamas decision to accept the ceasefire came after Israel approved plans earlier this month to occupy Gaza City and expel more than 800,000 residents from their homes. Netanyahu took credit for what appeared to be a softening in the Hamas position, claiming the militant group was under “atomic pressure”.

A measure of how the country's mood has changed is the discontent evident among some reservists being called up to serve once again.

Many Israelis feel that freeing the hostages cannot happen if the government refuses to come to terms with Hamas and pursues its policy of trying to eliminate the group militarily.

Hundreds of thousands of people shouted slogans and booed mentions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at nationwide protests across Israel about the Gaza war.