US Vice President Kamala Harris pressed Israel to take more measures to get aid into Gaza, reiterating a sharp message delivered on Sunday that called conditions in the coastal enclave "inhumane".
During a meeting with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, Harris urged Israel to craft a "credible" humanitarian plan before conducting major military activities in Rafah.
Harris expressed her "deep concern" about humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where Palestinian authorities say more than 30,000 have been killed under a months-long assault by Israel in retaliation for the October 7 Hamas attacks, and the United Nations says many are on the brink of starvation.
"The Vice President and Minister Gantz discussed the situation in Rafah and the need for a credible and implementable humanitarian plan prior to contemplating any major military operation there given the risks to civilians," the White House said in a statement about the meeting.
Gantz, a political rival to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was also scheduled to have meetings with national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk on Monday and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.
His visit comes as the White House ramps up pressure on Israel to protect civilians in Gaza during its war with Hamas.
She also welcomed Israel's "constructive approach" to hostage talks, the White House said.
The meeting comes as President Joe Biden and his administration face increasing pressure from his Democratic Party to back a permanent ceasefire, and push ally and military aid recipient Israel to reduce the loss of civilian life in Gaza and allow aid to flow through in greater amounts.
Israel last month intensified its bombardment of Rafah in Gaza's south, where about 1.5 million people are estimated to be crammed, most of them having fled their homes further north to escape Israel's military onslaught.
Many in Biden's party have been pushing for a ceasefire, too, and the lack of a sustained one has hurt the president politically. Biden, who is seeking reelection in November, has struggled with low approval ratings for much of his first term; his backing of military aid for Israel is unpopular with most Democrats, a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll shows.
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