U.S. and Israel Officials Hold Virtual Talks in Standoff Over Invading Rafah

U.S. and Israeli officials held virtual talks Monday to continue to discuss the standoff over the Biden administration’s opposition to Israel invading the southern Gazan city Rafah, a U.S. official confirmed to ABC News.

This, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week canceled a visit by an Israeli delegation in protest of the U.S. not blocking a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

At the time, the White House said it was “disappointed” by Israel’s decision to cancel. The White House has said President Joe Biden warned Netanyahu an invasion would be a “mistake,” citing the risk of high civilian casualties and arguing there is an alternative. In what was seen as a direct rebuke of Biden — highlighting escalating tensions — Netanyahu has vowed an incursion to root out elements of Hamas would happen despite U.S. concerns.

Read the source article at ABC News