Jake Sullivan in Tel Aviv; Discussion on Transitioning from Intense Battles to Lower-Intensity Conflicts in Gaza

The U.S. National Security Advisor, during his visit to Israel, stated that "the United States continues to support Israel's efforts to combat Hamas" and mentioned that he and his team have had "intensive discussions" with the Prime Minister and war cabinet about transitioning from intense battles in Gaza to lower-intensity conflicts. Jake Sullivan, who is on a scheduled trip, spent Thursday and Friday in Israel, told Channel 12 of Israeli television: "Israel will continue its efforts to target Hamas positions and hunt down senior leaders of this group for an unspecified period, but the issue is that Israel must shift to a more precise operation focused on targeting senior and influential Hamas figures." He described the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel as a terrorist act and the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, emphasizing, "I am not here to give orders to Israel. Israel is our friend and partner; we speak as friends and review strategies and tactical advantages, providing suggestions." Mr. Sullivan characterized his discussions with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials regarding various phases of the ongoing war against Hamas as "constructive" and "intensive and detailed," expressing satisfaction with the outcomes. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, had met with Saudi officials on Wednesday before his trip to Israel. In his meeting with Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, he discussed the Gaza conflict, broader diplomatic efforts to maintain stability in the region and prevent the escalation of conflict between Israel and Hamas, countering Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, and the joint U.S.-Saudi efforts to establish lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. John Kirby, the White House spokesperson, stated on Wednesday that the United States supports Israel's efforts to counter Hamas but wants the war to end quickly with minimal civilian casualties. Kirby added that Jake Sullivan discussed with Israeli officials the shift in Israel's attack on Gaza towards "lower-intensity operations" in the near future. Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants killed at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the October 7 attack on Israel and took about 240 hostages, including children, women, and the elderly. Some hostages, except for 135 who are likely not alive, were released during a one-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Canada, Australia, and several other countries have classified Hamas as a terrorist organization. U.S. consultations with Israeli officials and regional countries for another humanitarian pause in the war with Hamas. Additional news; seven people were arrested in three European countries on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks. The establishment of a multinational force and the construction of an underground barrier; a potential plan by Israeli security agencies for managing Gaza after the war ends. Live blog | Israeli forces attacked the "World Central Kitchen" convoy in Gaza; seven killed. The Israeli army successfully conducted a trial operation of pumping seawater into Hamas tunnels. Netanyahu in a meeting with Sullivan: the war with Hamas will continue until "absolute victory" is achieved.