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Israeli management “was clear from the start that this struggle would proceed in phases,” Sullivan informed reporters on the second day of his go to to Israel.
“However there can be a transition to a different part of this struggle: one that’s centered on concentrating on the management, on intelligence operations,” he added.
Sullivan is now heading to Ramallah to fulfill with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the place the pair will “focus on ongoing efforts to advertise stability within the West Financial institution, together with via efforts to confront terrorism, to assist the Palestinian Authority safety forces” in addition to “revamp and revitalize the Palestinian Authority and thru initiatives to carry extremist settlers accountable for violence in opposition to Palestinians,” he mentioned.
On Thursday, Sullivan met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Protection Minister Yoav Gallant in Israel amid rising speak of variations between the US and Israel over the struggle in opposition to Hamas. Earlier this week, President Joe Biden mentioned that Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing” in Gaza was costing the Jewish state world assist.
The White Home pressured that Sullivan had delivered a “constant” message of assist for Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
“His message was constant: The USA will proceed to assist Israel and its struggle in opposition to Hamas,” nationwide safety spokesman John Kirby mentioned following Sullivan’s assembly.
Israeli media reported that Israel’s protection minister informed Sullivan that it will take “months” to complete the struggle.
“To dismantle a company that was constructed for years just for terrorist functions and to liberate Gaza from Hamas, quite a lot of months are wanted. It is going to be an extended struggle, which we’ll win on the finish,” Gallant mentioned.
Biden is going through rising stress each internationally and domestically to place extra stress on the Israeli authorities to scale back civilian casualties in its bombardment of Gaza.
A US intelligence report discovered that about 40-45% of the 29,000 air-to-ground munitions that Israel has used within the Gaza struggle have been unguided.
CNN reported on Wednesday evening that evaluation carried out by the Workplace of the Director of Nationwide Intelligence discovered that just about half of the air-to-ground munitions that Israel has used within the struggle in opposition to Hamas have been unguided, resulting in excessive casualty charges. Greater than 18,000 folks have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, with the dying toll rising at the same time as US officers stress Israel to keep away from indiscriminate bombings.
Additionally on Thursday, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned the struggle in Gaza, Sweden’s pending NATO membership and a Turkish bid to buy new F-16 jets from the US in a uncommon cellphone name with President Joe Biden, an official Turkish assertion mentioned.
Erdogan informed Biden that the US bears “a historic duty to make sure a everlasting cease-fire within the area as quickly as attainable,” a Turkish readout mentioned.
In the meantime, a senior Hamas official informed Al-Monitor that the Gaza-based militant group would acknowledge Israel as a step towards ending a long-running division between Palestinian factions.
Because the Israeli army continues its push south, the dying toll within the enclave now exceeds 18,700, in response to the Hamas-run Well being Ministry. Most of these killed have been ladies and youngsters. Heavy rains have drenched makeshift tent camps erected to shelter displaced Palestinians instructed by Israel to flee south.
Ezgi Akin, Beatrice Farhat, Rina Bassist, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Adam Lucente, Jack Dutton, Jared Szuba and Al-Monitor’s contributors on the bottom in Gaza, the West Financial institution and Israel contributed to this weblog.
Stay updates (all occasions EDT):
Friday, Dec. 15, 2023
2:00 am: NSA Sullivan meets in Israel with Mossad chief
On a go to to Israel, US nationwide safety advisor Jake Sullivan met Thursday night with Mossad chief David Barnea in Tel Aviv, mentioned the workplace of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The 2 mentioned efforts for the return of hostages held in Gaza, elevated bilateral cooperation and regional challenges posed by Iran’s nuclear program, expansionism and assist of terrorism. Earlier than visiting Barnea, Sullivan met with Netanyahu, Protection Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz. He additionally participated at a gathering of the Israeli struggle cupboard. Sullivan is ready to fulfill with Israeli President Isaac Herzog Friday earlier than departing.
Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023
11:00 pm: Israeli army recovers physique of hostage in Gaza
IDF troops have recovered in Gaza the physique of 28-year-old Israeli-French hostage Elia Toledano, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari mentioned on Friday. Toledano was taken by Hamas Oct. 7 from the Supernova music competition close to Kibbutz Re’im. His physique was retrieved earlier this week from the Strip throughout operational exercise carried out by the Army Intelligence Directorate’s Unit 504, and the 551st Brigade.
7:01 pm: Maersk says container ship focused by Houthi missile, not hit
Danish transport large Maersk denied a declare by Yemen’s Houthis that the Iran-backed militia had carried out a drone strike on an organization ship heading towards Israel.
Earlier on Thursday the Houthis had mentioned a drone strike had focused and hit the ship, Maersk Gibraltar, which was touring from the port of Salahah in Oman to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“The vessel was not hit,” a Maersk spokesperson informed Reuters.
2:05 pm: White Home says Sullivan delivered message that ‘US will proceed to assist Israel’
Commenting on US nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan’s assembly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier right this moment, White Home nationwide safety spokesman John Kirby mentioned the White Home pressured ongoing US assist for Israel’s struggle in opposition to Hamas.
“His message was constant: The USA will proceed to assist Israel and its struggle in opposition to Hamas,” Kirby informed reporters.
Kirby famous that Sullivan informed Netanyahu that Washington helps one other pause in combating to permit extra hostages to be launched.
9:05 am: Sullivan meets with Netanyahu, Gallant in Israel
US nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan met in Israel first with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after which with Protection Minister Yoav Gallant. Israel’s nationwide safety adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and US particular envoy Brett McGurk additionally participated in Sullivan’s assembly with Netanyahu. Ynet cited Gallant as telling Sullivan, “To dismantle a company that was constructed for years just for terrorist functions and to liberate Gaza from Hamas, quite a lot of months are wanted. It is going to be an extended struggle, which we’ll win on the finish.” Sullivan can be anticipated to fulfill with Benny Gantz and the remainder of Israel’s struggle cupboard in addition to with President Isaac Herzog.
7:13 am: Israeli parliament approves finances growth to cowl struggle bills
The Israeli parliament accredited increasing the 2023 state finances (legitimate via Dec. 31, 2023) by $7 billion to cowl the bills of the struggle within the Gaza Strip. The additional funding is earmarked for protection, well being care and firefighting techniques, funds for reserve troopers and compensation for relocated households in addition to for the ministry liable for West Financial institution settlements. The transfer handed with 58 Knesset members voting in favor and 48 in opposition to.
5:30 am: Prime White Home aide lands in Israel amid widening rift with Washington
US nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan has landed in Israel, the place he’s set to fulfill with high Israeli officers over the subsequent two days, Israel’s Military Radio reported. Sullivan is scheduled to carry talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid a widening rift between Israel and the US over mounting civilian casualties in Gaza. Sullivan flew in from Saudi Arabia, the place he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday. The 2 mentioned efforts to extend humanitarian help to Gaza and methods to ascertain a sustainable peace within the area, in response to a White Home assertion.
5:07 am: UK bans entry to violent West Financial institution settlers
Britain has introduced a ban on Israeli settlers behind violent assaults in opposition to Palestinians within the West Financial institution, following the same plan by the European Union and the US.
“We’re banning these liable for settler violence from getting into the UK to ensure our nation can’t be a house for individuals who commit these intimidating acts,” British Overseas Secretary David Cameron wrote on the X platform.
Cameron additional known as on Israel to “take stronger motion to cease settler violence” that’s threatening the safety of each Palestinians and Israelis.
There was an uptick in Israeli settler assaults in opposition to Palestinians within the West Financial institution for the reason that Gaza struggle erupted Oct. 7, accompanied by almost every day Israeli raids within the territory. In line with the United Nations, not less than 271 Palestinians have been killed within the West Financial institution since Oct. 7.
4:37 am: Hezbollah fighter killed in cross-border hearth with Israel
Lebanese Hezbollah mentioned considered one of its fighters was killed by Israeli shelling of southern Lebanon as cross-border exchanges of fireplace proceed unabated. The Israeli army mentioned it had struck plenty of Hezbollah websites in response to a projectile fired from Lebanese territory towards Shumira within the north. The Iran-backed group had earlier claimed an assault in opposition to a bunch of troopers close to the Shumira army barracks. At the very least 120 folks, largely Hezbollah fighters, have been killed on the Lebanese aspect of the border since skirmishes erupted Oct. 7. Israel has mentioned that six troopers and 4 civilians have been killed in its border space.
3:01 am: Dying toll in Jenin raid rises to 11
At the very least three Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli army raid within the West Financial institution metropolis of Jenin and the refugee camp there, in response to the Ramallah-based Ministry of Well being. The newest casualties convey the variety of Palestinians killed to 11 for the reason that raid started on Tuesday, a few of them in drone strikes. The Israeli army says it has detained lots of of Palestinians concerned in terror actions and has seized weapons throughout the operation in Jenin.
3:00 am: Energy outage reported in southern Lebanon after Israeli strikes
Israeli artillery shelling in southern Lebanon broken an electrical energy community, leading to an influence outage within the southern city of Taybeh, the official Nationwide Information Company mentioned. The Israeli army continues to pound a number of areas within the south, together with in Alma al-Shaab, Naqoura and al-Khiyam. The Israel-Lebanon border has been the location of intense exchanges of fireplace between the Israeli military and the Iran-backed Hezbollah motion since Israel’s struggle with Hamas erupted Oct. 7.
12:10 am: Prime Hamas official floats Israel recognition
In an unique interview with Al-Monitor’s Elizabeth Hagedorn, senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk urged the militant group would adhere to the Palestine Liberation Group’s stance on Israel.
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023
3:50 pm: Romanian-Israeli citizen, Tanzanian citizen kidnapped by Hamas declared useless
Romanian-Israeli Tal Haimi, who was thought being held by Hamas within the Gaza Strip, has been declared useless, mentioned the headquarters of the households of the abductees. It’s now identified that Haimi was killed on Oct. 7 in Hamas’ assault on southern Israel and his physique taken to Gaza.
The household of Joshua Loitu Mollel, a Tanzanian citizen, was knowledgeable that he had additionally been killed Oct. 7 by Hamas and his physique taken to Gaza. He had been working on the Nahal Ounceskibbutz.
2:00 pm: CIA chief to fulfill with households of American hostages
Israel’s Channel 13 reported that CIA chief William Burns will meet in Washington with households of American nationals held hostage in Gaza, his first such assembly. Burns has largely led the US’ negotiation efforts with Qatar over the discharge of hostages held by Hamas.
11:20 am: Biden hosts family of Israeli-People kidnapped in Gaza
US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on the White Home with family of twin Israeli-Americans kidnapped by Hamas and held hostage in Gaza. Since Oct. 7, Biden has spoken on the cellphone a number of occasions with family of these kidnapped, and he met some relations in particular person when he visited Israel in mid-October.
Family members of six captives are on the White Home in particular person whereas these of two different kidnapped persons are taking part through cellphone. Of the remaining hostages in Gaza, seven are US residents and one is a inexperienced card holder. Their names are Idan Alexander, Itay Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Keith Siegel, Omer Neutra, Judi Weinstein, Gad Haggai and Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
10:00 am: Israeli international minister says struggle will proceed ‘with or with out worldwide assist’
Israeli Overseas Minister Eli Cohen mentioned in an announcement on Wednesday, “Israel will proceed the struggle in opposition to Hamas with or with out worldwide assist.” He added, “A cease-fire on the present stage is a present to the terrorist group Hamas.” His phrases come sooner or later after US President Joe Biden warned at a non-public occasion that Israel was shedding worldwide assist for its struggle in Gaza.
7:04 am: US, UK impose new sanctions on Hamas, Islamic Jihad
The USA and United Kingdom have applied a brand new spherical of sanctions in opposition to figures linked to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the US Treasury Division introduced. The measures focused a number of officers and leaders from Hamas “who perpetuate Hamas’s violent agenda by representing the group’s pursuits overseas and managing its funds,” in response to the Treasury. The newest transfer is the fourth spherical of US sanctions for the reason that Hamas-Israel struggle erupted.
4:04 am: Two vessels come beneath hearth within the Pink Sea
Two vessels got here beneath hearth within the Pink Sea close to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in response to a British maritime safety agency. The British firm, Ambrey, mentioned that in two separate incidents, a Marshall Islands–flagged chemical tanker and a Malta-flagged bulk service have been transiting off the coast of Yemen’s Pink Sea port of Hodeidah, beneath Houthi management, when a speedboat with armed males aboard approached them. An alternate of fireplace was reported. A US official informed the Related Press that the Marshall Islands–flagged Ardmore Encounter escaped two missiles fired from Houthi-held territory in Yemen. One other suspected Houthi drone was shot down by an American ship throughout the incident, in response to the official. The Iran-backed Houthis have claimed a collection of assaults in opposition to vessels within the Pink Sea that they are saying are linked to Israel. The strikes are in retaliation for the Israeli offensive within the Gaza Strip.
3:00 am: 10 Israeli troopers killed in a single day in Gaza
Ten troopers, together with the commander of the Golani Brigade’s Battalion 13 and the top of the commander’s crew, have been killed in northern Gaza in a single day, mentioned Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari. 9 of the ten have been troopers within the Golani Brigade and have been killed in the identical battle, in Shajaiyah, east of Gaza Metropolis. The troops reportedly got here beneath heavy hearth in a densely populated space. A few of them have been killed by direct hearth from Hamas fighters rising from a tunnel shaft, and others have been killed by an explosive machine activated inside a constructing.
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