Explaining the decision on Wednesday (AEDT), the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said proceeding with such a vote was “wishful and irresponsible”, as it could jeopardise sensitive negotiations to get hostages released – a position backed by the White House.

“I think most of the people around the world would love to see those hostages home with their families, and if we just voted and went along with this resolution, the chances of doing that would be greatly reduced,” spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

“So we’re comfortable with the approach that we’re taking.”

But the issue has become increasingly challenging for president Joe Biden, who not only faces waning public support ahead of November’s election due to his stance, but now also faces an open revolt from Democrats ahead of this month’s Democratic primary race in Michigan - a critical swing state with high numbers of Arab-Americans.

This came to a head over the weekend, when Democratic congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American elected to the US Congress, called for people to effectively vote against Biden in the February 27 contest.

“Right now, we feel completely neglected and just unseen by our government,” Tlaib said in a social media video as she stood outside an early voting centre in the state.

“If you want us to be louder, then come here and vote uncommitted.”

Without a serious challenger, Biden is still expected to win the Michigan primary in a landslide, but the comments have nonetheless been seized on by Donald Trump’s campaign as a sign of the President’s woes within his own party and the electorate more broadly.

“It’s all falling apart for Joe Biden,” said Trump adviser Jason Miller.

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But the White House insists it is doing what it can to pressure Israel to limit casualties as the war drags on.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said troops will move soon into the town of Rafah on the Egyptian border, where over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have sought refuge from fighting elsewhere.

Many of the Gazans in Rafah were previously displaced from northern parts of Gaza and are now facing the possibility of being displaced again. The US, meanwhile, is working with mediators Egypt and Qatar to try to broker another cease-fire and hostage release agreement.

Kirby said that while the US supported Israel going after Hamas, it did not appear to have a credible plan to reduce civilian harm.

“We do not support operations in Rafah under the current circumstances without a credible plan to deal with the safety and security of the people there,” he said.

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