Middle East conflict live updates: Gaza on the agenda as top diplomats gather in Saudi Arabia

President Biden discussed the prospects of a proposed cease-fire and hostages deal during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, indicating that the responsibility is on Hamas to release all hostages “without delay” to secure a deal.

International pressure is growing to reach an agreement on the release of hostages. This is ahead of a planned major Israeli assault on Rafah, which Israel has said is a remaining Hamas stronghold in southern Gaza. More than a million displaced civilians have sought refuge there.

In Israel, concern is increasing about possible International Criminal Court arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza, Israeli media reported. Netanyahu appeared to address the reports Friday, writing that “Israel will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of self-defense.” Israel and the United States do not accept the ICC’s jurisdiction, but member states would be obliged to arrest anyone who faced a warrant.

At least 34,454 people have been killed and 77,575 injured in Gaza since the war began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority of the dead are women and children.

Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, including more than 300 soldiers, and says 261 soldiers have been killed since the launch of its military operation in Gaza.