Israel's prime minister has said he has instructed talks to begin over ending the war and freeing the hostages still in Gaza. Meanwhile, the UN warns Israel's attack on Gaza City could amount to a "forcible transfer" of the population.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel will begin immediate negotiations for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and an end to the nearly two-year-old war on terms acceptable to Israel.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which organized the "Israel on Hold” protests, said that over a million people took part in the demonstrations across the country on Sunday. Per the organization, almost 500,000 protesters gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square.