U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby (AP/Alex Brandon)
White House spokesman says Biden administration pushing Israel to ‘transition’ to ‘low intensity’ operation in Gaza.
By David Rosenberg, World Israel News
The Biden administration is working “intensely” to convince Israel to “transition” from a large scale military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to “low intensity operations,” a White House spokesman said Sunday.
Speaking with CBS, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the U.S. has been pressing Israel to down-size its military operations in Gaza, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressuring Jerusalem during his recent visit to Israel.
“Secretary Blinken just came from the region, that we have been talking to them intensely about a transition to low intensity operations,” Kirby said.
“We believe it’s the right time for that transition. And we’re talking to them about doing that.”
Kirby noted that the IDF has reduced its presence in Gaza somewhat, releasing some reserve troops earlier this month and cutting back on airstrikes, while adding that the Biden administration is pushing for an even farther-reaching “transition” in the ongoing war.
“Now they have done some precursory steps to try to kind of get to that point. They’re pulling some troops out, they’re relying a little less on airstrikes.”
Specifically, the Biden administration is pressing Israel to limit its operations in Gaza – including both air and ground operations – to pinpoint attacks on Hamas leaders.
“But we believe that… any military campaign, you go through phases, and the next logical phase here, as they have put pressure on Hamas leadership, is to get to lower intensity operations, more targeted, more precise raids, less airstrikes. We believe it’s time to make that transition. And we have had that conversation with them.”
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