U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan discussed with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer in Washington on Tuesday the issue of Israel transitioning to a "different phase" in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to a White House official. The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that Sullivan and Dermer, who is close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, talked about "moving to a new phase in the war to focus on significant Hamas targets."
The discussions between the U.S. and Israeli officials also addressed "practical steps to improve the humanitarian situation and reduce civilian casualties," as well as "efforts" to enhance the chances of releasing hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. The United States is increasingly emphasizing that the Israeli military should prioritize surgical strikes in its operations in Gaza to minimize civilian casualties.
Recently, President Joe Biden has not hesitated to publicly express his disagreements with Netanyahu's conservative government. The meeting between Sullivan and Dermer took place just hours after Israel's Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi warned that the war, which began on October 7, between his army and Hamas would last "several more months."
According to a second White House official, the meeting also touched upon the need "to prepare for the day after (the war ends), including issues of governance and security in Gaza, finding a political horizon for the Palestinians, and continuing to work on normalization." The war between Israel and Hamas has led to the suspension of efforts aimed at reaching an agreement to normalize relations between the Israeli state and Saudi Arabia.
