Israeli officials have agreed on a more "limited" operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which US President Joe Biden is not expected to oppose, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius reported on Monday.

Ignatius stated that Israeli officials have reached a "consensus" on a "final assault" against four Hamas battalions they believe are still in Rafah. Instead of the heavy attack involving two divisions that Israel had considered several weeks ago, government and military leaders now foresee a more limited assault. US officials believe this approach will result in fewer civilian casualties, which has influenced Biden's stance.

Despite Biden's warning to Israel about its plans for Rafah, he has not imposed any consequences as the Israeli military continues to escalate operations in the city. He has supported the Israeli capture of the Rafah border crossing, which has disrupted aid distribution in the area.

US officials initially opposed an Israeli assault on Rafah without a clear evacuation plan for the 1.4 million civilians sheltering there. However, Israel did not submit such a plan and proceeded with the invasion. Consequently, over 800,000 civilians have fled Rafah without safe refuge or basic necessities like water.

Israel has communicated to the US its commitment to continue escalating operations in Rafah. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday that Israel is "committed to broadening the ground operation in Rafah to the end of dismantling Hamas and recovering the hostages."