The move also comes despite President Joe Biden repeatedly stating U.S. opposition to an invasion of Rafah, where the population has swelled to an estimated 1.4 million people following Israel’s offensive in Gaza in retaliation for Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel and the taking of hostages on Oct. 7.

Hamas says it's accepted an Egyptian-Qatari cease-fire proposal, but Israel says the deal did not meet its core demands and has pushed ahead with an assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

The U.S. has consistently urged Israel against carrying out an invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, but two administration officials say the administration has softened its public condemnation of Israel's rhetoric surrounding a potential operation—seeing it as a potentially effective means of pushing Hamas to accept a deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office says the proposal is "far from meeting Israel's core demands."

Hamas said it accepted a proposal for a cease-fire. Israel responded that the deal didn't meet its requirements and announced it was pushing ahead with an assault in Rafah.

Hamas says it will accept a cease-fire agreement in Gaza, just hours after Israel ordered civilians in eastern Rafah to evacuate. Israel has yet to accept the terms.

Israeli leaders have approved a military operation into the Gaza Strip city of Rafah, and Israeli forces are now striking targets in the area.

Hamas’s agreement to a cease-fire proposal revived hopes of an extended pause to the fighting in Gaza, even as Israel ordered a large-scale evacuation of Rafah.

Jordan's King Abdullah II warned that an Israeli assault on Rafah could 'lead to a new massacre' in the 7-month conflict.