Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced plans to expand military operations in Rafah, a southern Gaza city, during discussions with U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan in Tel Aviv. This meeting occurred as Israel's military offensive in Rafah entered its third week, with ongoing clashes against Hamas fighters and intensified bombardments.

The Biden administration has expressed concerns about a full-scale invasion due to potential civilian harm. Currently, Israeli forces are mainly active in Rafah's eastern areas, but the conflict has already displaced over 810,000 Palestinians, according to the U.N.
Gallant emphasized to Sullivan the necessity of broadening the ground operation in Rafah to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of hostages.

Sullivan also discussed postwar plans for Gaza amidst criticism within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's War Cabinet. Netanyahu's political rival, Benny Gantz, has threatened to leave the government unless a plan involving international administration for postwar Gaza is developed by June 8.

The Israeli offensive began following a Hamas attack on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths, mostly civilians, and around 250 abductions. The ongoing conflict has led to at least 35,000 Palestinian deaths, as reported by Gaza's Health Ministry, and displaced about 80% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents.

In related events, a senior Republican criticized President Biden’s arms hold during a speech to the Israeli parliament, and pro-Palestinian protesters established a new encampment at Drexel University.

Additionally, suspected Israeli airstrikes targeted areas near Homs in central Syria, reportedly killing one person and injuring five others. These strikes, believed to be the 40th by Israel in Syria this year, targeted locations associated with pro-Iranian militias.