U.S. Says Israel's Ground Operations in Southern Gaza Will Continue for Weeks

Several senior U.S. officials told CNN on Tuesday that American officials expect the current phase of Israel's ground operations in Gaza, which targets southern Gaza, to likely continue until January. These officials believe that after this, Israel will replace its current strategy with a more localized approach, targeting specific Hamas militants and leaders with less intensity. Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, in his most explicit public warning to date, cautioned Israel that 'only by protecting civilians can it prevail in urban warfare.' In his speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Austin stated that U.S. support for Israel is 'non-negotiable,' but he also warned that Israel risks replacing 'tactical victory with strategic defeat' if it does not take further steps to prevent civilian deaths. While the death toll in Gaza is estimated at 16,000 Palestinians, Israel believes it has killed 'several thousand' Hamas militants. Simultaneously, the U.S. has expressed concern over diminishing international support and is urging Israel to minimize civilian casualties. Israeli officials believe that part of Israel's 'ultimate goal' is to weaken Hamas to the extent that the group can never repeat the attack it carried out against Israel on October 7. However, a senior U.S. official told CNN that it is unlikely Israel will achieve this goal by the end of the year, and Israel is expected to pursue this objective in the next phase of the conflict, which U.S. officials see as a 'longer-term campaign.' Just hours earlier, Israeli forces began an assault on the city of Khan Younis, one of the main cities in southern Gaza. Reuters reported, citing local residents, that Israeli tanks have entered the eastern parts of Khan Younis for the first time, crossing the Israeli border fence and moving westward. Hamas killed at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in its attacks on Israel on October 15 and took about 240 hostages, including children, women, and the elderly, many of whom remain missing. The international community, including the U.S., Canada, the UK, the EU, and Israel, has designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. The humanitarian situation in safe areas of Gaza is dire; the UN Secretary-General has called for a humanitarian pause. The sixtieth day of war in Gaza continues with bombings; five Palestinians were killed in the West Bank. A UN representative was expelled from Israel; the UN humanitarian coordinator did not condemn Hamas's actions. Individuals involved in undermining peace, security, or stability in the West Bank will be barred from entering the U.S. Israel is investigating the possibility of 'sexual crimes' committed by Hamas members. Israeli operations in southern Gaza continue; Israeli tanks have entered the eastern parts of Khan Younis.