Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has denied American media reports that he will address the US Congress on June 13, amid mounting pressure to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas, AFP reports.

Netanyahu’s office told Israeli media the date of his speech to Congress had “not been finalised”, but it would not be on June 13 because it interferes with a Jewish holiday. The date had been reported by Punchbowl News and Politico.

Speculation about the visit comes with Netanyahu facing intense criticism over the civilian death toll in the offensive in Gaza, which has ratcheted tension with President Joe Biden’s administration.

Biden on Friday presented what he labelled an Israeli three-phase plan that would end the conflict, free all hostages and lead to the reconstruction of the devastated Palestinian territory without Hamas in power.

The four party leaders in the House and Senate asked Netanyahu last week to speak before a joint meeting of Congress in a letter voicing solidarity with Israel “in your struggle against terror, especially as Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens captive.”