Israel’s prime minister has told US Secretary of States Antony Blinken he will not accept a deal that includes ending the war on Gaza, Israeli media reported.

According to senior American and Israeli officials, Benjamin Netanyahu said if Hamas insists on ending the war, the deal will not be accepted and Israel will be forced to launch a military offensive in Rafah, Israeli news agency Walla reported.

Blinken met Israeli leaders in his push for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, saying “the time is now” for an agreement that would free captives and bring a pause in the war.