Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made no mention of any halt to 10 days of fighting in public remarks at a briefing to foreign ambassadors to Israel on Wednesday, saying it was engaged in "forceful deterrence" to prevent future conflict with Hamas.

In a statement released later in the day, Netanyahu said: "I am determined to continue this operation until its objective is achieved - to restore quiet and security to you, the citizens of Israel." This pushes back against calls from the United States to end the fighting that has left hundreds dead.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza on Wednesday as Israel continued to pound targets in the territory with airstrikes.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed, including 64 children and 38 women, with 1,620 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl and a soldier, have been killed.

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