Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind or the release of prisoners with Hamas, but only to a safe corridor that would allow Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander's release, a statement from Netanyahu's office said early on Monday.

"We are in the midst of critical days in which Hamas has been presented with a deal that would enable the release of our hostages. The negotiations will continue under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting," the office added.