US officials have again raised concerns with their Israeli counterparts about Israel’s plans for military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

The White House said representatives of Israel’s prime minister had agreed “to take these concerns into account”.

The US has repeatedly urged Israel not to launch a major offensive in Rafah to avoid more civilian casualties in Gaza.

Separately, the US vetoed a UN resolution to grant full member status to a State of Palestine.

In another development, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to “discuss regional threats and Iran’s destabilising actions in the Middle East”.

They also discussed “the importance of increasing and sustaining the flow of humanitarian aid to Gazan civilians, including via the new route from Ashdod Port in Israel”.

The Israeli military says it has struck dozens of targets in Gaza, a day after widespread Israeli bombing of the central part of the strip as well as Gaza City in the north.

Qatar – which has played a major mediating role in truce talks – said earlier that ceasefire negotiations had stalled.

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