Many Israelis were in a somber mood on Monday as they prepared to usher in Passover, the Jewish festival of freedom, saying they would mark the holiday rather than celebrate it, with more than 130 hostages remaining in Gaza.
The number of hostages believed to be alive is unclear, and with negotiations with Hamas captors at an impasse, there is little prospect of their imminent release.
Israelis are still jittery after an exchange of fire with Iran this month, the first time Tehran had directly attacked Israel from Iranian territory.
More than 250 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of Israel’s ground invasion in late October, the military says.
More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to Gaza health officials.
Locations:
Gaza, Egypt, Iran, Tehran, Israel