Egypt Daily News - Senior Israeli and American officials began an online meeting on Thursday, which is expected to discuss Israel's plans regarding the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip and Israel's consideration of launching a retaliatory strike against Iran.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan chaired the meeting from the American side, with the participation of Biden's envoy to the Middle East, Brett McGurk, and others.

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi are again leading the Israeli delegation to the virtual talks, according to an Israeli official.

The official said that the topics to be addressed will include "operational planning and the humanitarian aspect in Rafah."

Axios reported, quoting American officials, saying that the Biden administration is still concerned that Israel’s launch of an attack on Rafah would lead to heavy civilian casualties.

Axios quoted the two officials as categorically denying reports that the Biden administration had given the green light to launch an operation in Rafah if Israel abandoned a strike on Iran in response to the unprecedented attack it launched against it last weekend.

The website stated that this meeting is the second of its kind in recent weeks, and an in-person meeting that was scheduled to be held in Washington this week was postponed due to the Iranian attack.