Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that ground offensives in Rafah in southern Gaza will start after civilians there are allowed to evacuate.

Netanyahu told reporters on Saturday that trying to stop the military operations is tantamount to telling Israel to lose the war.

Nearly 1.5 million people, including evacuees, are living Rafah, the southernmost part of the Palestinian territory. Israel says the city is a Hamas stronghold.

Netanyahu said the military will soon end its operation in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, so people fleeing Rafah will be able to find space there.

The United States has urged Israel not to carry out its operation in Rafah without a plan to protect civilians.

Meanwhile, negotiations have stalled on a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement on Saturday that his group will not accept anything less than a complete ceasefire, and accused Israel of procrastinating on matters including the delivery of aid.

Netanyahu called Hamas' demands "delusional," and said that when the group "drops these delusional demands, we can move forward."