White House: We Don't Want to See Escalation and Are Managing Risks

U.S. National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby stated on Wednesday, "We cannot confirm reports of the death of the Hamas leader." During a press conference, Kirby mentioned, "We cannot confirm reports of the death of the Hamas leader. President Biden has been briefed on the reports coming from the Middle East." He added, "We do not believe that escalation is inevitable in the region. We are still working to advance ceasefire talks." He continued, "U.S. forces in the Middle East are fully prepared. We do not want to see escalation, and we are managing risks." He welcomed "any role for China or others, whether in the region or outside, to help de-escalate and assist us in ending the war and ensuring Israel's security." Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Washington was not aware of the operation to assassinate Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh and did not participate in it. In Manila, the capital of the Philippines, journalists asked U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about Haniyeh's assassination, to which he replied, "I have nothing to say about this matter."