Israel’s war in Gaza has passed the 6-month mark and PM Benjamin Netanyahu was again under pressure this weekend to strike a deal with Hamas. Reports say as many as 100,000 Israelis protested in Tel Aviv for the second weekend running, calling on the government to ensure the return of the remaining hostages taken by Hamas terrorists on 7 October. Just on that, the body of 47yo Elad Katzir was recovered in southern Gaza – Israeli leaders say he was killed by his captors in mid-January. Meanwhile, Hamas has sent representatives to Egypt for new ceasefire talks with Israel and Qatari/US negotiators. Its list of demands includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza (something Netanyahu previously rejected) and a “serious” exchange deal of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages. Reports overnight say Israel has withdrawn all but one brigade of troops from southern Gaza, placing doubt on its plans to push ahead with an invasion of Rafah.