CHISINAU, Moldova (Reuters) - U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday urged Israel to come up with a post-war plan for Gaza and warned that the absence of it could trigger lawlessness, chaos and a comeback by Hamas in the enclave.

US President Joe Biden said Friday that Israel was offering a new roadmap towards a full ceasefire in Gaza that he urged Hamas to accept, saying it's "time for this war to end". But swiftly afterwards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu poured cold water on Biden's talk of peace,

"In the foreseeable future, Israel will have to maintain some security responsibility over the Gaza Strip," an Israeli official told Newsweek.

National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi's remarks were made as Israel was expanding its offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Israeli forces on Friday struck targets across the Gaza Strip, with witnesses reporting air raids around the southern city of Rafah, the latest focus of the nearly eight-month war.

Egypt has been trying for months to push for the Palestinian Authority's return to the Rafah crossing, which could free Israel from civilian control in Gaza. However, Israel insists it will not let th

Israeli official warns Gaza war may continue until year's end, doubts ceasefire after Rafah op against Hamas. Tanks in Rafah despite global pressure. 2024 'year of combat' to destroy Hamas, Islamic Jihad.