White House envoy Steve Witkoff has given Israel and Hamas an updated proposal for a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal and is pressing the parties to accept it, an Israeli official and a source with direct knowledge told Axios.

The Israeli military said the new offensive in Gaza will not stop until the hostages are returned and Hamas is dismantled.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Operation Gideon Chariots was being led with “great force” by Israel’s army. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed earlier in the week to escalate pressure on Hamas with the aim of destroying the militant group that has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades.