A top Israeli official shouted at American officials in frustration after the Biden administration pushed back on Israel’s plans to invade Rafah, according to reports.

A source familiar with the meeting told The Telegraph that “it wasn’t an easy conversation” and that the US asked Israel to provide a more detailed plan for the evacuation of civilians from the southern city, where up to 1.5 million people are now living.

Ron Dermer, Israel’s minister of strategic affairs, “began yelling and waving his arms” while defending plans to launch a ground invasion of the city, according to NBC, which cited US officials.

The meeting was attended by Jake Sullivan, US National Security Adviser, and Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, who “kept calm”, according to the officials.

However, an Israeli official told NBC this was a “misrepresentation of what occurred in the room”, adding: “The meeting was constructive and respectful, even during disagreements. There was no yelling at any point.”

Israel is planning to evacuate civilians to tents just north of Rafah over several weeks, but has failed to address the issues of sanitation, food and water, according to the NBC report.

The US has warned Israel repeatedly about its plans to invade Rafah, with President Biden saying it would be a “mistake”.

The killing of seven aid workers in Gaza on Monday “reinforced the expressed concern over a potential Israeli military operation in Rafah”, Lloyd Austsin, the US Defense Secretary, told his Israeli counterpart on Wednesday.

But Israel is insisting on launching a full-scale ground invasion in Rafah as it has elsewhere in Gaza, to try to destroy the last four Hamas battalions believed to be operating there and attempt to free the remaining 130 or so Israeli hostages.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly clashed with the Biden administration over the issue, saying Israel has “no choice” but to enter the city.

Mr Netanyahu and Mr Biden will discuss Rafah over the phone on Thursday, according to Israeli media.