“We have always supported a ceasefire as part of the hostage agreement,” he said.
Washington:
The White House said on Monday it was “confused” and “disappointed” that an Israeli delegation canceled a planned visit to discuss U.S. concerns about a possible offensive in southern Gaza.
Israel canceled the visit after the United States abstained from a UN Security Council vote calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the move harmed Israel’s efforts to combat the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, “We are a little bit confused by the cancellation,” saying, “It seems that the (Israeli) prime minister’s office chose to create a daytime feel here when it doesn’t need to be.”
Kirby had earlier said Washington was “very disappointed” that the delegation would not visit and that the Security Council’s abstention “does not represent a change in U.S. policy.”
“We have always supported ceasefires as part of the hostage deal,” he said, referring to efforts to free some 130 people believed to still be held in Gaza after being killed in a shock attack by Hamas. captured. October 7th.
That attack killed about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli data.
Israel’s military campaign to eliminate Hamas has killed more than 32,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-controlled areas.
The United States provides military and diplomatic support to Israel but has expressed frustration with Netanyahu as the death toll among civilians in Gaza continues to mount.
While the delegation’s itinerary has been cancelled, a separate visit by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant is underway.
Kirby said Galante would meet with national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday, and the Pentagon said the secretary would meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin the next day.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that Austin “is still planning to meet with Secretary Galante.”
Ryder said the Austin-Gallante talks would cover “efforts to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas” and “the need for more humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.”
He added that they would also discuss “plans to ensure the safety of the more than one million people who have taken refuge in Rafah while ensuring that Hamas no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
