Israel's foreign minister said on Saturday that a planned incursion into the city of Rafah could be suspended should a deal emerge to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
The comments came as international mediators push for a deal to achieve a ceasefire after nearly seven months of Israel's devastating war on Gaza which would include the release of Israeli hostages taken during Hamas' October 7 attack.
"The release of the hostages is the top priority for us," Foreign Minister Israel Katz said during an interview with local Channel 12 television.
Asked if that included putting off a planned operation to eliminate Hamas battalions in the city of Rafah, Katz answered, "Yes."
A new Israeli proposal for a possible hostage deal with Hamas reportedly includes Tel Aviv's willingness to negotiate the "restoration of sustainable calm" in the Gaza Strip, two Israeli officials told American news site Axios.
The war in Gaza and broader Middle East tensions are expected to get top billing at a Saudi-hosted special meeting of the World Economic Forum that begins on Sunday.
