Netanyahu has said repeatedly that a temporary ceasefire would not stave off a threatened Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, the southernmost town in Gaza, which has become the last refuge for more than half of the population.
Widespread destruction and continuing fighting across the territory, two-thirds of which is already under Israeli evacuation orders, means it is unclear how or where civilians are expected to flee. Global condemnation of the humanitarian cost of such an offensive has not deterred Israeli decision makers, who say a Rafah operation is an essential element of its goal to destroy Hamas.