Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ignored international pressure to halt his military offensive in southern Gaza, slamming those “who are now trying to stop the war.”

His comments come as stalled truce talks between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume in Qatar on Sunday, potentially marking the first time Israeli officials and Hamas leaders have joined talks since the start of Ramadan.

Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting that Israel would advance toward Rafah in southern Gaza, where more than a million displaced Palestinians are seeking shelter in overcrowded shelters.

“We will operate in Rafah. It will take a few weeks and it will happen,” Mr Netanyahu said.

Israel’s allies, including the United States, have repeatedly urged Mr Netanyahu not to attack Rafah without a plan to protect civilians.

Netanyahu retorted: “Is your memory so short? How quickly did you forget October 7, the most horrific massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust? How quickly did you deprive Israel of its defenses?” Mars monster’s rights?”

He added: “No amount of international pressure can prevent us from achieving all the goals of the war: to eliminate Hamas, free all our hostages and ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”

Netanyahu said Israel plans to evacuate civilians from Rafah, but allies and aid agencies remain skeptical.

This comes after Hamas last week proposed a new three-phase ceasefire and appeared to relax its demands for a permanent ceasefire.

Netanyahu said the proposal was based on “unrealistic demands” but agreed to send Israeli negotiators to Qatar.

Negotiators expressed optimism about a deal after Hamas provided more details on its proposed prisoner exchange. The deal would free Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

“The mediators are positive about Hamas’s new proposal. Some in Israel see the group as an improvement over its previous position, and now only Netanyahu can decide whether a deal is imminent,” said a person familiar with the mediation efforts. An anonymous Palestinian official told Reuters.

Hamas agrees to postpone permanent ceasefire talks to Phase 3 deal haaretz the report said. This means that large numbers of hostages will be released regardless of whether Israel wants to end the fighting.

Hamas reportedly proposed a six-week cessation of hostilities in the first phase of the ceasefire and the release of 35 hostages, including women and the elderly, in exchange for 350 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The group will also release at least five female soldiers in exchange for 50 prisoners per soldier, including some serving time on terror charges.

Egyptian officials told The Associated Press that Hamas has suggested that both sides declare a permanent ceasefire in a second phase, in which the group would release remaining Israeli soldiers held hostage in exchange for more prisoners.

In the third phase, Hamas will hand over the bodies it holds in exchange for Israel lifting its blockade of Gaza and allowing reconstruction.

Officials told the news agency that talks were expected to resume on Sunday afternoon but could be delayed until Monday.

On October 7, Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 200 hostages. Gaza’s health ministry says at least 31,500 Palestinians have been killed in the war.