Reports indicate that U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that the United States hopes to shift the fighting in Gaza into a smaller, more targeted campaign in the coming weeks, according to the New York Times report – and this message comes shortly after the U.S. warned that Israel is losing international support.
Key Facts
Four senior U.S. officials told the New York Times that Sullivan and Netanyahu discussed a timeline for transitioning Israel to a less intensive campaign with U.S. support.
U.S. officials hope that the lower-intensity war will include smaller, more targeted missions for the Israel Defense Forces aimed at killing Hamas leaders, finding hostages, and destroying the tunnels Hamas uses to operate, according to the New York Times report.
Sullivan’s message was not a threat of a deadline, according to an Axios report, with one official stating, “We understand that the campaign needs to continue, but with less intensity.”
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told Sullivan that the war “will last more than a few months,” according to NBC News report.
Critical Quote
When asked by President Joe Biden on Thursday if he wanted Israel to “scale back its assault on Gaza by the end of the year,” he responded: “I want them to focus on how to save civilian lives, without stopping the pursuit of Hamas, but with greater caution.”
Main Background
Sullivan’s warning came just two days after President Joe Biden said that Israel “has started to lose support” from the international community, partly due to Netanyahu’s refusal to agree to Palestinian Authority rule in Gaza once the war is over. Biden also stated on Tuesday that Netanyahu “needs to change this government,” adding that it is “the most conservative government in Israel’s history.” Tensions between the U.S. and Israel have flared in recent weeks as U.S. officials criticized Israel for its handling of hostage negotiations, the violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, and the rapidly rising Palestinian death toll. The U.S., Israel’s greatest ally, has supported Israel’s response since the Hamas attack on October 7 that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and reignited fighting between Israelis and the militant group based in Gaza. Since October, the U.S. has begun sending troops and ammunition to the Middle East, and lawmakers have been trying to pass legislation granting Israel additional humanitarian funding, although Congress has yet to pass the bill.
Looking Ahead
New York Times report: Israel-Hamas War: Biden’s top adviser heads to Israel
Axios: Israel must shift to “lower intensity stage” of war in weeks, not months, Sullivan tells Netanyahu
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