US-Israel Relations: Biden Administration's Request to End Large-Scale Ground Operations in Gaza

2023-12-14 19:35:36

The New York Times revealed that the Biden administration has indicated to the Israeli government that it wants the IDF’s large-scale ground operations in the Gaza Strip to end by the end of the year and give way to more targeted commando operations against Hamas. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan conveyed this message this Thursday.

Message which contrasts with that of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant according to which Israel’s war against Hamas “will last more than several months”. The Israeli official thus suggested that Israel was determined to continue the bombings on the Gaza Strip which were criticized earlier in the week by Joe Biden. The latter declared that the Jewish state was losing support in the international community because of its “indiscriminate” bombings.

“US officials said Biden wanted Israel to end the large-scale ground campaign in the Gaza Strip within three weeks, or soon after. They requested anonymity to discuss the president’s thoughts,” writes the New York Times. “These officials stressed that Mr. Sullivan did not order Israeli leaders to make this transition. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has in the past acquiesced to the Biden administration’s advice that Israel allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and take steps to reduce civilian casualties. after initially rejecting them point blank. »

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