The US reportedly demanded on Thursday that Israel end its intense attack on Hamas in Gaza within weeks rather than months.
The message was delivered by President Joe Biden's national security adviser during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
And it was supported by Biden, who later called on Israel to be more cautious.
“National Security Advisor Sullivan made clear in all meetings that the high-intensity kinetic campaign must move to the next lower phase within weeks, not months,” a senior U.S. official said.
'[This is not] We have set a deadline and are clear that the campaign must and will continue, but at a lower intensity.”
A senior Biden administration official reportedly called on Thursday for Israel to end its intense attack on Hamas in Gaza within weeks rather than months
Joe Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan (left) met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) in Tel Aviv on Thursday.
According to Axios, he pressed Netanyahu and members of his war cabinet on the schedule for a low-intensity campaign.
Netanyahu said the war would continue until Hamas was eliminated.
“I told our American friends: Our heroic fighters did not fall in vain,” he said, according to a statement from his office.
“Given the deep pain of their overthrow, we are more determined than ever to continue fighting until Hamas is eliminated – until absolute victory.”
This comes amid reports of U.S. fears that the intense bombing will make it harder to secure the release of hostages.
Biden himself was asked where he stood on the issue after giving a speech at the National Institutes of Health.
“I want them to focus on how to save civilian lives,” he said. “We must not stop persecuting Hamas, but rather be more careful.”
Israel launched its attack on October 7 in response to a devastating Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,200 people.
Since then, aid organizations have been warning of a humanitarian catastrophe.
According to Hamas-controlled health authorities, 18,000 people have died in the siege and bombardment.
Vice President Kamala Harris has reportedly urged her colleagues, including President Joe Biden, to publicly show more compassion for Palestinians in Gaza in light of the Israeli bombing
According to Hamas-controlled Palestinian health authorities, more than 18,000 people have died in the siege and bombardment of the Gaza Strip
A reservist jumps from an armored personnel carrier at a base near the border with the Gaza Strip
Israel continued its heavy bombardment on Thursday, bombing targets across the Gaza Strip.
At the White House, spokesman John Kirby was asked about Sullivan's meeting with Netanyahu.
“He talked about a possible transition from high-intensity operations like we're seeing now to lower-intensity operations at some point in the near future, but I don't want to put a time stamp on that,” he said.
“I think you can understand that the last thing we want to do is telegraph to Hamas what they are likely to face in the coming weeks and months.”
A senior administration official later explained that a low-intensity phase would focus on “high-value targets and intelligence raids.”
“But we’re not there yet,” he added.
In Israel, Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz told reporters that the US was not trying to dictate policy.
“I think the Americans are having a strategic and professional discourse with us that is appropriate and measured.” “They are not trying to tell us anything,” he said.
Still, the Biden administration's stance has hardened in recent weeks.
Biden has built much of his longstanding friendship with Netanyahu, and aides have said he could have more influence over Israel if he publicly takes a supportive position.
However, his top lieutenants issued warnings earlier this month.
Sullivan meets with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and his staff in Tel Aviv
Biden's vice president used a speech in Dubai to make his strongest demand yet that Israel abide by international humanitarian law.
“Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed,” said Kamala Harris. “Frankly, the level of civilian suffering and the images and videos from Gaza are devastating.”
The same day, Biden's defense secretary warned that Israel's campaign could backfire by radicalizing a new generation of Hamas recruits.
“In a fight like this, the focus is on the civilian population,” said Lloyd Austin. “And when you drive them into the arms of the enemy, you replace a tactical victory with a strategic defeat.”
And Biden himself publicly warned his old friend about it on Tuesday
“They're starting to lose that support because of the indiscriminate bombings,” he told a gathering of donors.”
It was also revealed on Thursday that Harris had called on Biden to take a tougher stance against Israel and do more to support civilians in the Gaza Strip.