A day after Hamas released two Israeli hostages, efforts are underway to secure the release of a large number of people, still believed to be held by the Palestinian militant group.

According to Israel, Hamas has held at least another 200 people hostage in Gaza. While talks between the United States, Israel, Qatar, Egypt and Hamas are on, the militant group has only so far released four people — two Americans and two Israelis.

Israel is said to have delayed its ground invasion of Gaza to allow for the release of more hostages by Hamas, CNN reported. However, negotiations have hit a roadblock after Hamas demanded more fuel to be allowed into the Gaza strip. Israel has made it amply clear, says the report, that it won't give in to Hamas' demands.

What the US said

John Kirby, the US National Security Council coordinator, addressing a White House briefing on Wednesday, emphasised the critical importance of fuel in Gaza’s daily life. Kirby stressed that fuel was a precious commodity running out and was urgently needed to power hospital generators. Fuel was also necessary to operate desalination pumps, which ensured a supply of fresh water in the region.

He added that the United States was resolute in its commitment to collaborating with regional partners to secure the necessary fuel supply for Gaza.

UN agency sounds alarm

On Wednesday, the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees issued a serious warning, saying the lack of fuel deliveries would significantly reduce their relief efforts in Gaza.

The alarming message coincided with Gaza hospitals witnessing the arrival of a large number of wounded patients. This comes as Israeli jets continued to bomb the narrow strip overnight into Wednesday, ABC News reported.

Aid agencies are emphasising the need for a consistent supply of resources because the current deliveries, though valuable, are just a fraction of what’s required for Gaza’s 2.3 million people.

Mark Regev, a senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has said that no more fuel will be allowed into Gaza because it will be stolen by Hamas. "It’ll be used by them to power rockets that are fired into Israel to kill our people,” Regev told CNN.

But a day later, the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff hinted at providing access to fuel in Gaza to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, adding that it would “not allow” the fuel to reach Hamas.

We will make sure there will be fuel in places where they need fuel to treat civilians, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said. "We will not allow the fuel for Hamas so they can continue fighting against the citizens of Israel.”

Hostages-for-a-ceasefire deal?

US President Joe Biden, when asked if the US would support a “hostages-for-a-ceasefire" deal, said "we should have a ceasefire". However, he then amended his answer, saying: “Not a ceasefire, we should have those hostages released, and then we can talk."

Israeli officials, meanwhile, have put their foot down and are not in favour of a ceasefire.

The UN has determined that approximately 100 trucks per day are required to meet the essential needs in Gaza.

The Israeli military suggested that the United Nations request fuel supplies from Hamas after the UN agency providing aid in the Gaza Strip warned it would have to halt operations without fuel. According to the Israel Defense Forces, Hamas militants have over 500,000 liters of fuel in tanks inside besieged Gaza.

On Wednesday afternoon, the power plant in the Gaza Strip stopped operating due to a lack of fuel, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.