Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu rejects calls for cease-fire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Israel has no intention of agreeing to a cease-fire 

"I made it clear that we will continue with all the force. We refuse any cease-fire that does not include the liberation of our hostages," Netanyahu said after meeting Blinken.

Israeli officials have estimated some 249 people were kidnapped in the October 7 attacks and are being held captive in Gaza.

The UN considers a humanitarian pause to be a "temporary cessation of hostilities" agreed upon by both parties to allow humanitarian aid to be distributed in a specific area for a specific time.

A cease-fire, on the other hand, is a suspension of fighting intended to be longer term and "typically as part of a political process," according to the UN.