White House in intense talks with Israel on duration of next phase of Gaza war

(Patria) - Washington is pushing Israel to focus the war in Gaza on precisely targeting Hamas leaders, rather than widespread bombing and ground operations, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Friday, Reuters reported.

Israel is resisting growing global pressure to curb its offensive in Gaza, where nearly 19,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Hamas attack on October 7 that killed about 1,200 people in Israel.

"There will be a transition to a second phase of this war, one that is more focused in a precise way on targeting leadership and on intelligence operations," Sullivan said during a visit to Israel.

"When exactly that will happen and under what exact conditions will be a constant, intense discussion between the United States and Israel," he added.

Sullivan said he discussed the timing in meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the war cabinet, and military chiefs on Thursday. Before his meetings, senior US officials said a less intense phase should begin in a few weeks, the New York Times and Axios reported, but Israel's defense minister told Sullivan the war would last "more than a few months".

On Friday, Sullivan also said the war would last for months, but said tactics would evolve. Sullivan declined to answer whether the US might suspend military aid if Israel does not reduce civilian casualties, saying the best way to reach an agreement is through private conversations.

White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters at a regular media briefing on Thursday that Sullivan had discussed a change that would occur in the "near future." Kirby said on Friday that there was a general agreement on transitioning to lower-intensity operations. President Joe Biden wants Israel to change tactics in about three weeks, the New York Times reported, citing four US officials. Biden warned this week that international opinion is turning against Israel due to the high civilian casualties in Gaza.

Sullivan said the US wants to "see results" that match Israel's assurances that it is distinguishing between civilians and militants. He accused Hamas of using civilians as shields, saying fighters operate from schools and hospitals, which the group denies.