DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Malnutrition rates among children in the Gaza Strip have doubled since Israel imposed sharp restrictions on the entry of food in March, the U.N. said Tuesday. New Israeli strikes killed more than 90 Palestinians, including dozens of women and children, according to health officials.

The Israeli military says it targets only militants and tries to avoid harming civilians and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas.

Hamas has warned that no Israeli hostages would be released without Israel making a "serious deal" with the group and that it will determine the terms.Newsweek has reached out to the Israeli Prime Minister's office and the U.

Hamas and Israel staked out their positions ahead of expected talks on a Washington-backed ceasefire proposal.

The rise of Izz al-Din al-Haddad in the chain of command suggests the group will hold firm to its position demanding a total end to the war before releasing all remaining hostages.