US and Israeli officials are to hold virtual talks on their dispute over a Rafah military operation

WASHINGTON — US and Israeli officials will hold virtual talks on Monday to discuss the possible expansion of Israel’s war against Hamas to the southern Gaza city of Rafah, a move the US opposes on humanitarian grounds.

A US official confirmed the officials would meet via secure videoconference on Monday, a week after planned in-person talks were rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when the US failed to veto a UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire firing in Gaza. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter, said the US expects “expert teams” to personally monitor the talks.

President Joe Biden and his administration have publicly and privately urged Israel for months to refrain from a full-scale incursion into Rafah — where more than 1.3 million civilians are estimated to have fled from other parts of Gaza — without a credible plan to move and protect. non-combatants.

Netanyahu has insisted that Israel should be allowed to enter the city, just as it holds the rest of the territory, to wipe out remaining Hamas brigades as Israeli forces try to wipe out the group after the October 7 attack on Israel.

The possible operation in the city has exposed one of the deepest rifts between Israel and its closest ally, financier and arms supplier. The US has already openly said that Israel must do more to allow food and other goods to pass through the Gaza blockade to avoid famine.