Report: US officials advising Israel to delay ground op to allow hostage negotiations, aid into Gaza

Several US officials tell The New York Times that the White House wants Israel to allow more time for negotiations over the hostages held by terrorists in Gaza and for aid to enter the Strip, before the launch of the ground operation.

The report says the Biden administration also wants to increase readiness for any potential attacks on US targets in the region from Iran-based groups, which it believes are likely to increase as the war goes on.

Two officials told the newspaper that the message has been conveyed to Israel via US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin, who speaks with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant almost every day. A spokesperson for Gallant would not confirm the report to the newspaper.

Additionally, US President Joe Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again yesterday.

However, the report notes that US officials are concerned that the continued delay of the ground invasion could be seized upon by Iran and its allies, who have long claimed that Israel is controlled by the US.

The report notes that the US is not demanding Israel delay the ground invasion, but is instead advising it to wait, and that Washington still fully supports Israel’s aim to destroy the Hamas terror group in the wake of the deadly October 7 onslaught.