Battles and bombardment continue to pound the Gaza Strip, after Washington said Israel agreed to reschedule cancelled talks with tensions worsening between the allies, AFP reports.

United States criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mounted over Gaza’s civilian death toll, dire food shortages, and Israeli plans to push its ground offensive against Hamas into the far-southern city of Rafah, which is packed with displaced civilians.

Bombardment and fighting have continued despite a binding United Nations Security Council resolution passed on Monday demanding an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Netanyahu scrapped an Israeli visit to Washington to discuss the Rafah plan. His government has since backtracked and agreed “to reschedule the meeting dedicated to Rafah”, according to White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre.

She added that they were working to find a “convenient date”. US officials say they plan to present Israel with an alternative for Rafah, focused on striking Hamas targets while limiting the civilian toll.