After more than a year of talks, both sides say they are close to a deal that could halt Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and return Israeli hostages home.

Mediators rushed on Wednesday to clinch a deal between Israel and Hamas on a cease-fire that would release hostages held in Gaza, after more than a year of devastating war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and destroyed much of the enclave.

Thousands took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday for a weekly anti-government protest demanding a ceasefire and a deal to return the remaining hostages still being held in Gaza.