Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is promising to continue a military offensive in Gaza, saying "we have no choice but to continue fighting." Netanyahu met with his cabinet on Sunday, admitting that "the war exacts a very heavy price from us" but stressing that "we are continuing with all the force, until the end, until victory."

The Israeli leader also responded to reports that the U.S. convinced his government to reconsider its strategy. The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. president Joe Biden urged Netanyahu to scrap plans for an airstrike on Hezbollah militants just days after the conflict in Gaza began. "Israel is a sovereign state," said Netanyahu. "Our decisions in the war are based on our operational considerations."

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023 REUTERS/Miriam Alster

It has been a dark weekend for both sides in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Gaza's health ministry marked a sobering milestone on Saturday, saying the Palestinian death toll had climbed above 20,250 in just 11 weeks. Meanwhile, Israel's military reported that 14 of its soldiers died as it continued its ground offensive on Friday and Saturday. 153 Israeli troops have been killed over the last two months.

The military said on Saturday it was expanding its operations in northern and southern Gaza. It believes many Hamas leaders are hiding in Khan Younis in the south. Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said troops were fighting in "complex areas" of the city.