In a recent development, President Joe Biden has once again urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from launching an offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This comes as Israel appears to be moving closer towards a possible ground operation to root out Hamas militants.

Shortly after Israel's announcement that approximately 100,000 Palestinians were being ordered to evacuate Rafah, Hamas released a statement accepting an Egyptian-Qatari cease-fire proposal. However, specific details of the proposal have not yet been disclosed.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari asserted that Israel would continue its operations in Gaza while Israeli officials deliberate the proposed cease-fire approved by Hamas. The Israeli War Cabinet voted unanimously in favor of a Rafah military operation but stated their commitment to ongoing cease-fire efforts.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby confirmed that President Biden had been briefed on the matter. Meanwhile, CIA Director William Burns, who was in Qatar for hostage talks with regional officials, is engaging in discussions with allies about Hamas' response.

In recent days, both Egyptian and Hamas officials have stated that the cease-fire would be implemented in stages, with Hamas releasing hostages in exchange for Israeli troop pullbacks from Gaza.

Top Biden administration officials have been publicly urging Hamas to accept what they consider a generous offer by Israel. They believe that accepting this offer could lead to an extended truce, the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons, and potentially pave the way for a permanent resolution to the ongoing conflict.

During a Monday morning phone call with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Biden underscored U.S. concerns about an invasion of Rafah, where over 1 million civilians from other parts of Gaza have sought shelter amid the war. Biden emphasized that reaching a cease-fire with Hamas remains the best way to protect the lives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Israel claims that Hamas is currently holding approximately 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others in Gaza.

However, it's worth noting that these discussions took place prior to Hamas' announcement accepting the cease-fire proposal.

Amidst these developments, President Biden hosted King Abdullah II of Jordan for a private lunch meeting at the White House, during which they discussed the ongoing war and hostage talks.

Just yesterday, Netanyahu, in a fiery speech commemorating the country's annual Holocaust memorial day, rejected international pressure to halt the war in Gaza. He defiantly declared that "If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone," vowing to defend the nation regardless of global pressure.

The Israeli army's recent order for around 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate Rafah has further complicated efforts to broker a cease-fire, signaling the possibility of an imminent ground invasion. Tensions escalated on Sunday when Hamas fired rockets at Israeli troops positioned on the border with Gaza near Israel's main humanitarian aid crossing, resulting in the deaths of four soldiers. Additionally, Israeli airstrikes in Rafah reportedly claimed the lives of 22 individuals, including children and infants, according to a hospital report.

As the situation remains volatile, the international community is closely watching the evolving developments and hoping for a swift resolution that would end the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.