The United States is pushing Israel to focus the war in Gaza on precise targeting of Hamas leaders rather than widespread bombing and ground operations, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Dec 15, without saying when the shift would happen.
"There will be a transition to another phase of this war, one that is focused in more precise ways on targeting the leadership and on intelligence-driven operations," Mr Sullivan told reporters in Tel Aviv.
Israel has so far resisted increasing global pressure to rein in an offensive that has killed almost 19,000 Palestinians.
Israel launched the war in retaliation against the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct 7 that killed 1,200 people and saw roughly 240 people taken hostage, Israeli officials say.
Israel has responded with more than two months of bombardment and a ground invasion of Gaza that have killed almost 19,000 people, according to Gazan health officials.
Most of the territory's 2.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes.
Israel's top war targets include Mohammed Deif, who heads Hamas' military wing and was the mastermind of the Oct 7 assault; his second-in-command, Marwan
Issa; and Hamas' leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.
Mr Sullivan said he discussed the timing of the transition in his meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the country's war Cabinet and military chiefs on Dec 14.
"When exactly that happens and under exactly what conditions will be a continuing intensive discussion between the United States and Israel," he said.
Mr Sullivan said it would take months to achieve Israel's objectives in the war, but that fighting would proceed in phases, with a shift from the current campaign of intense bombing and ground operations.
After the meetings, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said he told Mr Sullivan the war would last "more than several months".
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin December 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin December 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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