The United States reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing diplomatic solutions rather than deploying troops on the ground in response to recent attacks on Israel by Hamas.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby conveyed this position on Monday.
The death toll in Israel has now reached 800, while 687 individuals in Gaza have tragically lost their lives.
Meanwhile, recognizing Iran’s support for Hamas, Kirby clarified that the Biden administration did not find evidence directly linking Iran to the current assault on Israel.
The White House is prepared to respond to any further security requests from Israel, even as diplomatic efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel continue uninterrupted.
White House spokesman said the US would not deploy troops on ground against Hamas attacks.
Simultaneously, U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that at least 11 Americans lost their lives in Israel during the recent attacks by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. The U.S. government also believes that some American citizens may be among those held as hostages by Hamas.
Biden emphasized the US dedication to collaborating with Israeli authorities to obtain additional information about missing American citizens.
He assured U.S. citizens in Israel that the State Department is providing consular assistance and updated security advisories. Kibry also said that commercial flights and ground transportation options are available for those US citizens who wish to leave Israel.
The conflict escalated when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday morning. It led to the loss of Israeli soldiers and civilians, as well as the abduction of multiple hostages. In response, Israel initiated a significant bombardment of Gaza, raising concerns about a potential ground offensive.
Biden underscored that he has directed his team to work with Israeli counterparts, including sharing intelligence and deploying U.S. government experts to address all aspects of the hostage situation.
In the United States, police departments have increased security measures around Jewish centers. This has been done in response to concerns about potential threats arising from the ongoing crisis.
In a joint statement, President Biden, along with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and the UK, expressed their unwavering support for Israel’s right to self-defense.
