Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated calls for Palestinians to leave Gaza, echoing suggestions by U.S. President Donald Trump.
"They're not being pushed out, they'll be allowed to exit," Netanyahu told Israeli television channel i24NEWS.
"All those who are concerned for the Palestinians and say they want to help the Palestinians should open their gates and stop lecturing us."
Eight more people, including three children, died of starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 235 deaths from hunger since the war began, including 106 children. Israel disputes these figures.
Hamas chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya met Egyptian officials in Cairo to discuss stopping the war and delivering aid. Egyptian sources said talks included possibilities for a comprehensive ceasefire requiring Hamas to relinquish governance and weapons.
A Hamas official told Reuters the group was open to ideas if Israel ends the war and withdraws, but "laying down arms before the occupation is dismissed is impossible."
Twenty-four nations this week condemned "unimaginable levels" of suffering and urged Israel to allow unrestricted aid.
"Famine is unfolding before our eyes. Urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation. Humanitarian space must be protected, and aid should never be politicised", the statement said.
The statement was signed by foreign ministers from Australia, Belgium, Canada, and 21 other countries, with EU members Italy and Latvia later added. Some EU member countries, including Poland, Germany, and Hungary, did not sign.
Israel says it has increased aid supplies, with nearly 320 trucks entering Gaza through crossings and another 320 trucks distributed by international organizations in 24 hours. However, the U.N., international humanitarian NGOs, and Palestinians say aid remains insufficient.
Arab states want the Palestinian Authority to govern post-war Gaza. The authority's foreign minister said it was ready to assume full responsibility, requiring Hamas to surrender arms and calling for international peacekeeping forces.
Hamas says it would quit Gaza governance for a non-partisan technocratic entity agreed by all Palestinian parties. Israel says it doesn't trust the Palestinian Authority to rule Gaza.
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Source: Reuters, BBC, The Guardian, DW
