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.

Hamas said late Monday it had accepted a proposal to pause the fighting in Gaza, in a short statement with little detail issued hours after Israel warned Palestinians to evacuate parts of Rafah ahead of an offensive.

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

The armed wing of Hamas said it was responsible for rocket fire in the Kerem Shalom border area. (Pictured: An Israeli medic after the attack) Israel has closed the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza after Hamas fired rockets from within the strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hardened his rejection of Hamas demands for an end to the Gaza war in exchange for the freeing of hostages, saying on Sunday that would keep the Palestinian Islamist group in power and pose a threat to Israel.

Israel has closed its main crossing point for delivering badly needed humanitarian aid for Gaza after it said Hamas militants attacked it.