Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was determined to carry out a ground invasion of the town of Rafah in southern Gaza where it is the last settlement for Palestinians to seek refuge.
Despite US President Joe Biden urging him to stop the attacks on innocent children and women in Palestine, Netanyahu clearly stood by his stance to continue the mission.
He told legislative officials on Tuesday that he made it very clear to the United States to immediately eliminate the Hamas group that is in Rafah. There is no other way but to attack all the way.
After the two leaders spoke on Monday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the US believed the attack on Rafah would be a huge mistake and that Israel was carrying out its other military intentions.
In his speech, Netanyahu said that he would wait to hear a proposal from the US as a sign of his respect for the giant country to protect civilians in Rafah before ordering the operation.
But he sees no alternative but a ground attack to carry out his goal of destroying Hamas.
Israeli officials say that Rafah, located on the Egyptian border, is Hamas' last stronghold in Gaza. It is estimated that 1.5 million Palestinians have taken refuge there after fleeing the hotspots of the war.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean said Biden asked Netanyahu to send a team of senior military, intelligence and humanitarian officials to Washington to present a comprehensive plan for the operation in Rafah.
Details are still being worked out, but the meeting will likely take place early next week.
According to Palestinian health officials, nearly 32,000 people have been confirmed killed in Israeli counterattacks.
