US surprised at Israeli decision to pull out of talks

The US State Department said the Israeli decision not to come for scheduled talks with American officials was "surprising and unfortunate".

Israel cancelled the delegation's visit after the US abstained from a UN Security Council vote on a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which allowed the vote to pass.

According to Reuters, a US official also told reporters that the Israeli decision is being considered an "overreaction", and that domestic political tensions in Israel were likely the reason for cancelling the trip.

The official added that President Joe Biden has no plans to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the decision, and Netanyahu did not call Biden about it in advance.