Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again indicated negative views on establishing a Palestinian state.

The Israeli military said on Thursday that its ground offensive in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip has expanded to its southernmost point so far. Gaza health authorities reported that the death toll has reached 24,620.

At a news conference on Thursday, Netanyahu said, "This conflict is not about a lack of a state, but about the existence of a state."

He stressed that "any settlement in the foreseeable future must include Israeli military control over all territory west of the Jordan River."

Netanyahu said he conveyed his stance to the United States, which supports a two-state solution.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said in a news conference on Thursday that "nothing has changed about President Biden's desire" for a two-state solution, adding that this would be in the best interest of not only the Israeli people but also the Palestinians.

The Financial Times reported on Thursday that Arab nations are working on a plan for a ceasefire. The British economic newspaper quoted a senior Arab government official as saying that if Israel agrees on steps toward creating a Palestinian state, Saudi Arabia and others will support normalizing diplomatic ties with Israel.

The report also said Arab nations are already discussing the plan with Western countries, and aim to propose it to Israel within several weeks.