The Biden administration urged the Israeli government to end its extensive ground campaign in Gaza and transition to a more targeted phase of its war against Hamas.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan did not specify a timetable for this new phase of the war during his meeting on Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Biden Administration Urges Israel
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Sullivan spoke with Netanyahu on Tuesday at a White House press briefing about the next phase of Israel's military campaign.
Kirby said that Sullivan also discussed efforts Israel was now undertaking to be more surgical and precise in their targeting and actions that they were taking to help increase the flow of aid.
A senior administration official said that Sullivan discussed civilian protection with Israeli officials during his trip to the region.
The official added that there had been discussions, prior meetings, and calls between the president and the prime minister about shifts and emphasis on high-intensity clearance operations.
Israeli officials instructed US officials on their thinking of potential timeframes. The official noted that they found Israel's ideas for the military campaign problematic, and the ground campaign was adjusted based on some of their advice and recommendations.
According to NBC News, US officials warned Israeli officials to show restraint and avoid mass civilian casualties. The Israeli military has also previously warned Palestinians to evacuate neighborhoods ahead of bombardments, but Palestinians stayed and said there was no safe place to go.
On Thursday, US officials also discussed with Israeli counterparts about the protection of hospitals, which Hamas used.
"I want them to be focused on how to save civilian lives. Not stop going after Hamas - but be more careful," Biden said when he was asked whether he wanted Israel to scale back its assault on Gaza.
Israel Continues Fight Against Hamas for More Months
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that the war against Hamas could extend for more than several months. Kirby added that Israel has been consistent in vocalizing that the war could take some time.
US officials acknowledged that it would take months for Israel to take out Hamas leaders, an effort that will continue even if the high-intensity phase of the war moves to a more surgical one.
The debate over the pace of the war came after Biden warned in a speech to campaign donors that Israel was losing global support because of their indiscriminate bombing.
Netanyahu said that they will continue to fight against Hamas. His office released a statement that Netanyahu told their American friends that they were more determined than ever to continue to fight until Hamas was eliminated and until absolute victory.
