Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the country's military will continue its operation in the Gaza Strip, as talks in Egypt over a ceasefire have been suspended.

Netanyahu on Thursday delivered a speech at a military event.

He said Israeli forces will continue its operation against Hamas throughout Gaza, including the southern city of Rafah. He added that telling Israel not to act in Rafah means telling it to lose the war.

Mediators and Hamas delegates were holding talks in Cairo on a pause in the Gaza fighting and the release of hostages held by the Islamic group. But Hamas said on Thursday that its delegation had left the Egyptian capital to consult with leadership.

Some Arab media report the negotiations are expected to resume as early as Sunday.

But an agreement before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which will begin around Sunday, appears to be difficult. Hamas is demanding a sustainable ceasefire while Israel is refusing it.

Israel has shown its intention to conduct a ground operation in Rafah since early February, where nearly 1.5 million people currently live, including evacuees from other parts of Gaza. Concerns are growing in the international community that casualties among residents will increase and the humanitarian situation will worsen.

Israeli forces carried out attacks in many parts of the enclave on Thursday night. Palestinian media say dozens of people were killed, including nine in the central city of Deir el-Balah, due to bombardment.