WASHINGTON – The White House on March 25 said it was very disappointed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had cancelled a high-level Israeli delegation’s planned visit to Washington after the United States abstained from a United Nations vote demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

“It’s disapppointing. We’re very disappointed that they won’t be coming to Washington, DC to allow us to have a fulsome conversation with them about viable alternatives to them going in on the ground in Rafah,” White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

Mr Kirby said senior US officials would still meet for separate talks with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who is currently in Washington, on issues including hostages, humanitarian aid and protecting civilians in the southern Gaza town of Rafah.

Mr Kirby stressed that US policy had not changed, despite the decision to abstain from the UN Security Council vote.

He said US officials could continue to bring up Washington’s concerns with Israeli policies in Gaza as part of ongoing discussions between the two governments.

“Nothing has changed about our view that a major ground offensive in Rafah would be a major mistake,” Mr Kirby said. REUTERS