Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country's war against Hamas will continue for many more months.

Netanyahu told reporters on Saturday that achieving victory requires more time.

He said his country will continue to fight until the goals of the war have been achieved, namely the elimination of Hamas and the release of all the hostages.

He added that, as Prime Minister, he has rejected international pressure aimed at stopping the war before Israel achieves its goals.

Civilian casualties are increasing as Israeli forces continue their ground offensive and air attacks across the Gaza Strip.

Health authorities in Gaza said on Saturday that 165 people had been killed over the past 24 hours. They say the death toll has risen to 21,672.

Meanwhile, Yemen's anti-government Houthi group continues attacking vessels passing through the Red Sea. The group has expressed solidarity with Hamas.

The US Central Command says its forces shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles targeting a Singapore-flagged container ship on Saturday. The command says the ship had requested its assistance after being struck by a missile while navigating the Southern Red Sea. It says there are no reported injuries.

The command says it was the 23rd attack by the Houthis on international shipping since November 19.