Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would consider "tactical little pauses" in fighting to facilitate the entry of aid or the exit of hostages from the Gaza Strip, but again rejected calls for a ceasefire despite international pressure.
Having encircled the densely populated Gaza City in the north of the enclave, where Hamas is based, Israel's military said it had taken a militant compound and was set to attack fighters hiding in a warren of underground tunnels.
Gaza health officials say has killed more than 10,000 Palestinians, including some 4,100 children.
Israel says hostages should be released first. Hamas says it will not free them nor stop fighting while Gaza is under assault.
Netanyahu said a general ceasefire would hamper his country's war effort, but pausing fighting for humanitarian reasons, an idea supported by Israel's top ally the United States, would continue to be considered based on circumstances.
"As far as tactical little pauses - an hour here, an hour there - we've had them before. I suppose we'll check the circumstances in order to enable goods, humanitarian goods to come in, or our hostages, individual hostages, to leave," Netanyahu told ABC News on Monday. "But I don't think there's going to be a general ceasefire."
U.S. President Joe Biden discussed such pauses and possible hostage releases in a phone call with Netanyahu on Monday, reiterating his support for Israel while emphasizing that it must protect civilians, the White House said.
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