Israeli PM tells US: no pause in Gaza fighting without release of hostages

Natanyahu says full force' offensive will continue, despite growing concerns over civilian casualties

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Israel will continue its offensive in Gaza with full force" and will refuse any temporary ceasefire that does not include the release of more than 240 hostages held by Hamas, Benjamin Netanyahu has said, rejecting US calls for a pause in the fighting.

Earlier on Friday, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, flew into Israel to urge the Israeli prime minister to temporarily stop its military offensive to allow aid into the territory amid rising concerns over civilian casualties as the fighting intensifies.