By: David Rosenberg – worldisraelnews.com

The Biden administration is working “intensely” to convince Israel to “transition” from a large scale military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to “low intensity operations,” a White House spokesman said Sunday.

Speaking with CBS, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the U.S. has been pressing Israel to down-size its military operations in Gaza, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressuring Jerusalem during his recent visit to Israel.

“Secretary Blinken just came from the region, that we have been talking to them intensely about a transition to low intensity operations,” Kirby said.

“We believe it’s the right time for that transition. And we’re talking to them about doing that.”

Kirby noted that the IDF has reduced its presence in Gaza somewhat, releasing some reserve troops earlier this month and cutting back on airstrikes, while adding that the Biden administration is pushing for an even farther-reaching “transition” in the ongoing war.

“Now they have done some precursory steps to try to kind of get to that point. They’re pulling some troops out, they’re relying a little less on airstrikes.”

Specifically, the Biden administration is pressing Israel to limit its operations in Gaza – including both air and ground operations – to pinpoint attacks on Hamas leaders.

“But we believe that… any military campaign, you go through phases, and the next logical phase here, as they have put pressure on Hamas leadership, is to get to lower intensity operations, more targeted, more precise raids, less airstrikes. We believe it’s time to make that transition. And we have had that conversation with them.”

World Israel News also reported that President Joe Biden vowed Sunday he would “never stop working” to free the roughly 130 captives still held in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement issued Sunday evening to mark 100 days since the October 7th invasion of southwestern Israel, Biden noted that six American citizens are believed to be among the hostages still held captive.

“Today, we mark a devastating and tragic milestone—100 days of captivity for the more than 100 innocent people, including as many as 6 Americans, who are still held being hostage by Hamas in Gaza.”

“For 100 days, they have existed in fear for their lives, not knowing what tomorrow will bring. For 100 days, their families have lived in agony, praying for the safe return of their loved ones.”

Highlighting the hostage release deal brokered by the U.S. and Qatar at the end of November, which secured the release of 105 captives, Biden said that he has worked “non-stop” since October 7th to secure the hostages’ release.

“For each of those 100 days, the hostages and their families have been at the forefront of my mind as my national security team and I have worked non-stop to try to secure their freedom.”

“Since Hamas brutally attacked Israel on October 7, my Administration has pursued aggressive diplomacy to bring the hostages home.”

“We saw the first results of that effort late October, when two Americans were reunited with their loved ones. In November, working in close coordination with Qatar, Egypt, and Israel, we brokered a seven day pause in fighting that resulted in the release of 105 hostages—including a 4-year-old American child—and allowed us to surge additional vital humanitarian aid into Gaza.”

Biden cited his meetings with the relatives of American nationals held hostage, and promised that his administration would “never stop” attempts to bring the remaining six American captives out of Gaza.

(worldisraelnews.com)