A tent camp housing Palestinians displaced by the Israeli offensive is seen in Rafah, Gaza Strip (Photo:AP)

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said victory over Hamas requires entry into Rafah and said a date has been set for the operation.

Mr. Blinken said Washington has not been told the date, but he doesn’t anticipate any action being taken before the talks. He said a major military operation in Rafah would be extremely dangerous for civilians and the US is continuing to work closely with Qatar and Egypt on a ceasefire agreement for Gaza.

Following an Israeli attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 1, Alireza Tangsiri, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps naval forces, said Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz if necessary.