Israel fought to wrest full control of northern Gaza from Hamas as the US and Israeli leaders discussed the outlook for the 11-week-old conflict, Reuters reports.
Thick smoke hung over the northern town of Jabalia and residents reported persistent aerial bombardment and shelling from Israeli tanks, which they said had moved further into the town.
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the “objectives and phasing” of Israel’s military operations, the need to protect civilian lives and securing the release of hostages from the Palestinian group, the White House said.
Netanyahu “made clear that Israel will pursue the war until all of its objectives are fully met”, his office said.
Israel’s main ally has maintained its support while expressing concern over the growing casualty toll and humanitarian crisis in densely populated Gaza.
US officials have said they expect Israel to shift soon to a lower-intensity phase, with operations targeting the Hamas leadership and its infrastructure. Biden told reporters he “did not ask for a ceasefire”, while Netanyahu’s office said he thanked Biden for the US stand at the UN Security Council.
