Tensions have risen between the US and Israel ahead of a meeting between the two countries’ defence ministers. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet with Israel’s minister of defence on Tuesday and discuss ways to defeat Hamas other than conducting a ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the Pentagon said. Austin’s planned morning meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is still on, even though Israel abruptly cancelled the visit of a high-level delegation to Washington this week. Netanyahu cancelled the visit in protest over Monday’s UN Security Council decision…