White House says ‘not drawing red lines for Israel’

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, October 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, October 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

WASHINGTON — White House National Security spokesman John Kirby repeatedly refuses to comment on Israel saying its ground forces are expanding activity in Gaza and also refuses to comment on what a satisfactory long-term objective might be for the fighting.

“We’re not drawing red lines for Israel,” Kirby says on a call with reporters. “We’re going to continue to support them” but “since the very beginning we have, and will continue to have, conversations about the manner that they are doing this.”

Kirby says the US is still evaluating the impact of airstrikes against Iranian-backed militias and “we will not hesitate to take further actions in our own self-defense.”

He also says 10 additional trucks filled with humanitarian aid have made it to Gaza, bringing the total to 84, but that the US is aware that fuel there “is only anticipated to last a couple of days.”

The White House previously said US President Joe Biden was briefed Friday morning by his national security team on the latest developments in Israel and Gaza.

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