White House tries to warn Israel against going into Rafah in crunch talks as Netanyahu prepares for more strikes on Gaza AND Iran

Senior U.S. and Israeli officials held a virtual meeting on Thursday to discuss Israel's plans for the southern Gaza city of Rafah and on how the country is weighing a retaliatory strike against Iran.

President Joe Biden has encouraged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Rafah, where at least 1.4 million Palestinian refugees are sheltering. Biden also has made it clear the U.S., which helped Israel fend off Iran's April 13th attack, would not support a hit on Tehran. 

American officials expressed 'concerns with various courses of action in Rafah,' the White House said in a readout of the meeting. Israel agreed to 'take these concerns into account' and to have further follow up discussions.

Internally displaced Palestinians at the beach, near Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip

But it's unclear what message Biden administration officials gave to Israel on Rafah or whether Israel pledged not to take action until the additional discussions had taken place. 

'The two sides agreed on the shared objective to see Hamas defeated in Rafah,' the White House said in its readout. 

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan led the meeting along with Biden's Middle East envoy, Brett McGurk.

Joining on the Israeli side was minister for strategic affairs Ron Dermer and national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi. 

'The main purpose really is to talk about Rafah ... and also share our continued concerns over a major ground offensive there,' White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said of the meeting. 

This is the second meeting between the two sides. An in-person meeting was scheduled to take place in Washington this week but was postponed because of the Iranian attack. 

Netanyahu has given indications he intends to move forward on two fronts: Gaza and Israel.

He has reportedly told allies that Israel's response to Iran will be measured. He's also offered reassurance he will get aid to Gaza and ensure that civilians and aid agencies are given ample opportunity to flee any coming attack.

Palestinians examine the big hole after Israeli attack on building housing refugees in Rafah

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan led talks for the U.S. side

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right)  (seen above with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron on left) is looking to fight a war on two fronts: Rafah and Iran

Biden has been frustrated with Netanyahu over the situation in Gaza, particularly after an Israeli strike resulted in the death of seven aid workers with World Central Kitchen.

The president has demanded Israel let me humanitarian aid into the war-torn region, which is experiencing famine-like conditions, and to allow a temporary ceasefire in order to get hostages out. 

Biden is under heavy pressure from home and abroad to ensure the safety of aid workers and get critical supplies to the Palestinian people.

Local health authorities report that more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed during the Israeli campaign.

International outrage against Israel ensued after the convoy of aid workers for World Central Kitchen was hit by an Israeli 'triple tap' drone strike in early April, leaving seven dead. The three cars were marked as humanitarian aid and were struck while moving along a route approved by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

But allies flocked to Netanyahu's defense this past weekend when Iran sent more than 300 missiles and drones toward Tehran.

Israeli defense forces knocked most of them out of the sky with help from American, British, French and Jordanian forces.