Washington, Apr 1 (AP) American and Israeli officials were holding virtual talks Monday to discuss the potential expansion of Israel's war against Hamas to the southern Gaza city of Rafah, a move the US opposes on humanitarian grounds.

The officials met by secure video conference, a week after planned in-person talks were nixed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when the US didn't veto a UN resolution that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Also Read | Donald Trump’s Social Media Company ‘Trump Media & Technology Group’ Lost More Than USD 58 Million in 2023, Shares Tumble.

A US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter, said the US anticipates that “expert teams” will follow up on the talks in person.

President Joe Biden and his administration have publicly and privately urged Israel for months to refrain from a large-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 relocate and safeguard noncombatants.

Also Read | Turkey Local Elections 2024: Jolt to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan As Turkey’s Opposition Registers Big Win in Local Polls.

Netanyahu has insisted that Israel must be able to enter the city as it has the rest of the territory in order to root out Hamas' remaining brigades, as Israeli forces try to eradicate the group after the October 7 attack on Israel.

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

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser, was leading the US delegation in the meeting, which was rescheduled from this coming Friday because “we wanted to move very quickly on this.”(AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)