After Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and killed some 1,400 people, the United States stood by its ally and stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself.
The priority is on working to get the hostages out step-by-step," said a source briefed on the hostage negotiations.
The first U.S. official said that along with the hostage negotiations, advising Israel to hold off on its invasion could also give more time for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza.
U.S. officials have urged Israel to follow the laws of war in any invasion of Gaza, which is home to 2.3 million people.
Israel would have a difficult time fighting a war on two fronts simultaneously if Hezbollah launches a full-scale fight in the north, U.S. officials say.
Persons:
Israel, Joe Biden, John Kirby, Lloyd Austin, Washington Eliav Benjamin, Lebanon's, Antony Blinken, Yoav Gallant, Washington, Matt Spetalnick Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk, Dan Williams, Andrew Mills, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Trevor Hunnicutt, Simon Lewis, Michelle Nichols, Grant McCool
Organizations:
United, Palestinian, Washington, House, Pentagon, State Department, Friday, U.S, United Nations, White House, Israel's Army, Hamas, NBC, Sunday, Sunday . Washington, Hezbollah, Thomson
Locations:
United States, Gaza, Qatar, Israel, U.S, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Egypt, White, Washington, Iran, Sunday ., Jerusalem, Doha