It would mark a stunning escalation of the 22-month war in the territory that has already been largely destroyed and where experts say famine is unfolding.

“We do not give up on freeing the hostages, we do not give up on defeating the enemy in Gaza, and we do not stop until the threat is removed,” Netanyahu wrote on X. Hamas released videos of Israelis Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, both hostages who appeared emaciated.

Local health officials say at least 38 Palestinians were killed overnight and into Wednesday in the Gaza Strip while seeking aid from United Nations convoys and sites run by an Israeli-backed American contractor.