Israeli and US defence chiefs meet to discuss Rafah invasion plan

US defence leaders met with Israel’s minister of defence as the United States warned against a ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, but rising tensions between the two allies put any progress in question.

In remarks at the start of the Pentagon meeting, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said they would discuss alternative ways to target Hamas in Rafah, and he described civilian casualties in Gaza as “far too high” and aid deliveries as “far too low”.

But he also repeated the belief that Israel has the right to defend itself and the US would always be there to help.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, meanwhile, emphasised the ongoing threats to Israel, and said the meeting would address ways to destroy Hamas and get the Israeli hostages released, as well as plans to return displaced residents to their homes.

Mr Austin made no mention of threats to limit or condition future military aid to Israel on humanitarian gains, a growing sentiment among members of Congress and others.

And Mr Gallant only said that the meeting would include discussions about the important co-operation between the two countries to “ensure Israel’s military edge and capabilities”.

The meeting, which also included General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, comes as tensions have spiked between the US and Israel, stemming from the widespread global frustration over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and political discord surrounding efforts for a ceasefire.

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly cancelled a high-level visit to Washington this week in protest over the UN Security Council decision to call for an immediate ceasefire.

The US abstained, deciding not to use its veto power, and the resolution passed 14-0.

“There are ways to go about addressing the threat of Hamas, while also taking into account civilian safety. A lot of those are from lessons, our own lessons, conducting operations in urban environments,” Major General Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said.

“I would expect the conversations to cover those kinds of things.”

Israel’s offensive has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and driven a third of Gaza’s population to the brink of starvation.