Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his government will soon approve a plan to evacuate civilians from the southern Gaza city of Rafah ahead of a planned ground offensive.

Netanyahu made the remarks during a national address on Wednesday. Nearly 1.5 million people are currently in Rafah, including evacuees from other parts of the Gaza Strip.

He said the military is preparing to enter the city, but the process will take some time.

The plan for a ground offensive is raising international concerns.

US President Joe Biden has asked Netanyahu to hold talks with the United States about an alternative that does not involve a major ground invasion. A senior Israeli official is expected to visit the US as early as next week to discuss the idea.

A spokesperson with the US Defense Department said Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant by phone on Wednesday. The spokesperson said Austin raised the need for Israel to consider alternatives to a major ground operation, while reiterating the shared goal of defeating Hamas.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday expressed hope for negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the release of hostages. Blinken told Saudi Arabian media he thinks the differences between the two sides are narrowing, and an agreement is possible.

However, a senior Hamas official told reporters on Wednesday that Israel's response had been negative, and did not meet the Palestinians' demands.