The U.S. urges Israel to scale back its attacks in the Gaza Strip, claiming that it is "the right time" to do so. After the 7-day ceasefire ended on December 1, 2023, the United States and other allies of Israel have been asking it to transition its bombardments to low-intensity attacks.
An IDF Artillery soldier covers his ears as a shell is fired towards Gaza on October 11, 2023, near Netivot, Israel. Israel has sealed off Gaza and conducted airstrikes on Palestinian territory after an attack by Hamas killed hundreds and took more than 100 hostages.
However, the Israel Defense Forces is doing the opposite as it increases its military operations in the Palestinian city. What the White House said on Sunday, Jan. 14, shows the growing differences between the U.S. and Israel as the war reaches its 100th day.
US Urges Israel To Scale Back Attacks in Gaza, Claims It's the Right Time
During an interview on Jan. 14, John Kirby, the White House National Security Council spokesperson, said that Israel should start transitioning to low-intensity military operations in Gaza.
"We believe it's the right time for that transition. And we're talking to them about doing that," he said via ABC News.
Previously, the Israeli government promised that it would reduce its military presence in the Palestinian city since it already decimated Hamas' northern forces.
However, the Middle Eastern nation didn't do this. Instead, it conducted constant airstrikes in early January, which hampered humanitarian efforts, such as food and medicine deliveries needed by hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians.
And on Sunday, Israeli forces also targeted Lebanon using its warplanes after a Hezbollah missile hit northern Israel, killing two Israeli civilians; a mother and her son.
According to The Associated Press' latest report, Israel already killed almost 24,000 Palestinians ever since Hamas conducted its deadly terrorist attack on October 7, 2023.
Hamas Releases New Hostage Videos
Israeli army tanks and vehicles deployed along the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel on October 13, 2023. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants entered Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip enclave on October 8.
On Sunday, Hamas terrorists also released new hostage videos as the White House urged Israel to scale back its attacks in Gaza. The prisoner footage showed 38-year-old Itai Svirsky, 53-year-old Yossi Sharabi, and 26-year-old Noa Argamani.
However, the Palestinian terrorist organization didn't confirm when was the footage captured. Hamas released the video as its way to urge the Israel Defense Forces to stand down and stop its attacks on the Palestinian city.
Hamas terrorists said that these hostages could have been killed by the Israeli military's own assault in the Gaza Strip. Aside from this, the Palestinian militant group also threatened Israel that they would execute prisoners if Israel continued bombarding Gaza.
Related Article: Gaza Hostages: Hamas Posts Video of Captives, Urging Israeli Military To Stand Down
