Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel will continue its attacks on Gaza despite a visit from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for a pause from fighting.

Netanyahu shared the plans during a press conference following his meeting with Blinken.

Israel will keep bombarding Gaza with 'all of its power,' Netanyahu says after Blinken calls for pause https://t.co/TgsVclWtor

— POLITICO (@politico) November 3, 2023

The latest

"Netanyahu soon after said, during his own press conference, that Israel 'refuses a temporary cease-fire that doesn’t include a return of our hostages,'" according to Politico.

"Over 200 hostages were taken by Hamas following the militant group’s surprise attack on Israeli soil on Oct. 7 that killed 1,400 people," it added.

BREAKING: Israel tightens encirclement of Gaza City as Blinken urges more civilian protection — or else there will be "no partners for peace" - CBS News
https://t.co/a9adu7d5PQ#news #breakingnews #latestnews pic.twitter.com/dkEcmqLRkS

— BeatBuzzReport (@beatbuzzreport) November 4, 2023

Blinken's attempt

"We believe that each of these efforts would be facilitated by humanitarian pauses, by arrangements on the ground that increase security for civilians and permit the more effective and sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance," Blinken told journalists.

And he reiterated Washington's long-standing support for the eventual recognition of a Palestinian state, according to CBS News: "Two states for two peoples. Again, that is the only way to ensure lasting security for a Jewish and democratic Israel."

Blinken floats humanitarian 'pause' to Israel as way to buy time for offensive https://t.co/JlGvVUz7bt

— William McGarvey (@WilliamMcGarve7) November 4, 2023

Not happening

"Despite this, the Israeli government doesn't appear to have budged," the Washington Examiner reported.

"Several top Israeli officials who met with Blinken, including Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a pause in fighting would only be allowed if the Israeli hostages in Gaza were released," it continued.

The meetings came as air and ground assaults continued on Gaza in response to Hamas attacks. The Israeli military is closing in on the headquarters of the terrorist group, said to be located in tunnels underneath a Gaza hospital.

Gaza's health department has noted thousands of casualties, but there has been little ability to verify the accuracy of the group's often inflated numbers.

Instead, Palestinians in Gaza include a mix of people fleeing, those fighting and others caught in the middle of the massive military operation taking place to put a stop to the terrorist actions of Hamas.