A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip “would only benefit Hamas,” the White House reiterated on Tuesday, at a time when Israel is stepping up airstrikes against that Palestinian Islamist group, which has launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli soil.
• Also read: LIVE | 18th day of the Israel-Hamas war
• Also read: The US would act “decisively” in the event of an attack
• Also read: Gaza: Putin fears a “catastrophic deterioration” in the humanitarian situation
“A ceasefire at this point would only benefit Hamas,” John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, told reporters on Tuesday, warning that the situation would become even worse for civilians.