Netanyahu rejects US demand, insists ceasefire only after Hamas' defeat

Amid reports of increasing civilian causalities in Israeli bombardment in besieged Gaza, the US mounted pressure on Israel to go for a ‘lower intensity’ war against Hamas while ensuring the safety of civilians.

President Joe Biden, through his top national security adviser, Jake Sullivan is urging Israel to maintain its campaign against Hamas but with a heightened focus on protecting civilian lives.

President Biden emphasized the importance of Israeli forces being more careful in their military operations to prevent harm to innocent civilians. While the US remains supportive of Israel's efforts against Hamas, the call for a more targeted approach reflects growing concerns about the civilian death toll in Gaza.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is adamant in his stance saying that the war would continue until the destruction of Hamas. During his visit to Israel, Sullivan engaged in discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other members of the Israeli war cabinet.

The visit by Sullivan to Israel reveals a growing divergence of opinions between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the duration of the conflict and the acceptable death toll.

Netanyahu, in a meeting with Sullivan, expressed a commitment to continue the fight until there is "absolute victory against Hamas." This statement comes in response to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's assessment that the war could last "more than several months" due to the challenges posed by Hamas' infrastructure.

The talks revolved around setting conditions for transitioning from high-intensity military operations to lower-intensity, surgical actions against Hamas remnants. The White House stated that the objectives, phasing, and conditions for such a shift were part of the ongoing dialogue.

The US administration, represented by Sullivan, conveyed its desire to see the conflict end as soon as possible. However, they asserted that Hamas is responsible for bringing about a resolution. The call for a transition to "lower-intensity operations" was discussed, but the administration provided no specific timeline for the shift.

Netanyahu's firm stance is seen as a rebuff to the Biden administration's call for de-escalation, especially after President Biden warned that Israel was losing international support earlier in the week.

The Israeli prime minister, addressing the American delegation, emphasized that the sacrifices made by Israeli fighters should not be in vain, reiterating their determination to eliminate Hamas.

Amid these diplomatic discussions, reports have emerged of a deadly Israeli airstrike on Rafah in southern Gaza, resulting in at least 26 casualties. The international community is increasingly calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict as the civilian toll continues to rise.

Footage from the scene depicts residents attempting to rescue survivors and extinguish fires in the aftermath of the attack.

The airstrike targeted homes belonging to the Abu Dhbaa and Ashour families, contributing to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Tens of thousands of displaced people, seeking shelter since the collapse of a weeklong truce in early December, now face dire conditions in makeshift shelters and on the streets.