White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed Sunday that Washington is holding “frank and direct” talks with Israel amid growing outrage over Israel’s bombing of Gaza following Hamas’s attack on Israel on Sept. 7. October.
“We do not accept the murder of innocent people, whether Palestinians, Israelis or others,” Sullivan stressed.
Recall that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the start of the second stage of the three-week war, which is characterized by expanded ground operations in Gaza and massive airstrikes against Hamas targets.
In an interview with CBS, Sullivan said Washington and Tel Aviv are discussing difficult issues: humanitarian aid, the need to distinguish between terrorists and innocent civilians and how Israel plans its military operation.
“We speak frankly and directly, we share our views without hiding them and we will continue to do so,” Sullivan said. “We publicly declare that the United States is willing to make its proposals and principles absolutely clear, including the absolute value of innocent human life.” And then we will continue to advise Israel privately.”
Israel’s campaign to kill Iranian-backed Hamas militants has killed 8,005 Palestinians, including 3,324 minors, according to medical officials in the Gaza Strip, which has a population of 2.3 million.
