Israeli officials say around 1,200 people were killed in the surprise Palestinian assault and 251 taken hostages, 58 of are believed to still be in Gaza. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has estimated that more than 54,600 people have been killed amid the Israeli operations that ensued.

Hamas announced on Saturday that it had replied to a US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal, but Washington's main negotiator criticised the response as "totally unacceptable".The Palestinian militant group said its response was positive while emphasising the need for a permanent ceasefire -- long a sticking point for Israel.