Both sides have reacted positively to a United States proposal for a cease-fire, but many details remain to be ironed out, including whether Hamas will disarm.

NPR's Scott Simon speaks to Shira Efron, senior fellow at RAND about how two years of war in Gaza has affected Israelis as a people.

Our reporter in Gaza brings us scenes from Gaza City as Israel attempts to occupy the population center. A hospital courtyard has become a graveyard. And we hear one expert’s take on whether recent announcements of countries recognizing a Palestinian state will make a difference in the peace process.

There are deep political divisions and disagreements in Israel, but the nation’s core security interests are not partisan property.

France has joined the UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal in formally recognising a Palestinian state, leaving the increasingly isolated Israel more dependent on US support.

“On Wednesday … at around 8:30 pm (17:30 GMT), multiple vessels of Global Sumud Flotilla – notably Alma, Surius, Adara – were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli Occupation Forces in international waters,” a flotilla statement said.

Israeli naval forces have intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, seizing more than 40 civilian boats and hundreds of activists - including Australians. The action has sparked global protests and condemnation,