Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country would only consider tactical pauses in fighting in the Gaza Strip, not a ceasefire, to allow hostages to leave or aid to pass.
The Israeli military announced that it had captured a Hamas militant compound north of Gaza and was preparing to launch an assault on fighters concealed in a labyrinth of subterranean tunnels.
Health officials reported that at least 23 Palestinians were killed in two separate Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza cities of Khan Younis and Rafah early on Tuesday.
Since Hamas killed 1,400 people and took 240 hostages in southern Israel a month ago, Israel has bombarded the enclave.
Health officials in Gaza say the Israeli attack has killed over 10,000 Palestinians, including 4,100 children.
There have been increasing calls for a ceasefire, but both Israel and Hamas have rejected them. Israel insists that hostages be freed first. Hamas refuses to release them or stop fighting since Gaza is under attack.
The White House reported that President Joe Biden called Netanyahu on Monday to discuss pauses and hostage releases, reiterating his support for Israel but emphasizing the need to protect civilians.
The U.S. shares Israel’s concern that Hamas would use a complete ceasefire as an opportunity to regroup.
On Monday, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres issued a dire warning that Gaza is deteriorating into a “graveyard for children” and demanded an all-out ceasefire.
“Ground operations by the Israel Defense Forces and continued bombardment are hitting civilians, hospitals, refugee camps, mosques, churches, and U.N. facilities including shelters… At the same time, Hamas and other militants use civilians as human shields and continue to launch rockets indiscriminately towards Israel,” Guterres told reporters. “No one is safe.”
International organizations say hospitals cannot handle the wounded, food and water are scarce, and aid deliveries are inadequate.
