US President Joe Biden says he asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a pause in the fighting in Gaza.

A White House spokesperson had previously stated that the US and Israeli leaders had discussed "tactical pauses" in Israel's offensive in Gaza for humanitarian reasons and the possible release of hostages during their conversation on Monday.

Biden was asked by a reporter whether he had suggested a three-day pause, but he did not comment on the length of it.

Washington, along with many other Western powers, has backed Israel's position that a ceasefire would help Hamas militarily.