The United States, concerned about a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, wants Israel to consider alternatives to a ground invasion of Rafah, the last relatively safe haven for more than 1 million displaced Palestinian civilians.
The US team in the talks will be led by Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, the official said.
More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 63 in the past 24 hours, in Israel’s six-month military offensive in Gaza, according to the Palestinian health authorities.
Israel’s retaliation began after an Oct 7 attack in which Hamas militants breached the Israeli border to kill 1,200 people and take 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.