Israel steps up ground offensive in Gaza (Photo: AFP).
As aid continues to flow to the Gaza Strip, the Biden administration believes Israel will scale back its air campaign and focus its tactics on ground operations in Gaza, a senior US official said on condition of anonymity.
According to US officials, this change in Israel's tactics is aimed at destroying Hamas' vast, complex network of tunnels.
Asked whether the Biden administration felt compelled to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, the official said that given the severity and nature of Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, a ceasefire was "inadequate."
The official reiterated that the US is actively urging Israel to implement what it described as “humanitarian pauses” to allow additional humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. Washington has also stressed to Israel that, even if it has the right to defend itself, it must still abide by international humanitarian law.
"In my opinion, a ceasefire depends on whether Israel feels certain that similar attacks will not be repeated," he said.
The Israel-Hamas conflict has lasted nearly a month, killing more than 10,000 people, but shows no signs of abating.
Israeli officials have made it clear that now is not the time for a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that a ceasefire would only take place when all hostages held by Hamas are returned safely.
In recent days, Israel has stepped up its ground offensive in Gaza, with the stated goal of "eradicating" Hamas.
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