US President Joe Biden is calling on Israel to delay its ground invasion of Gaza as the country pushes to take out Hamas.
Israel has been at war with Hamas after the terror group’s violent attacks on October 7, killing 1,400 civilians.
In response, Israel has ramped up airstrikes on the enclave killing over 5,000 civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.
Troops were preparing to invade Gaza to root out Hamas militants, but sources now tell NBC that Washington is urging Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military to delay.
One source said that Mr Biden does not want to challenge the Israeli military but is worried about challenges regarding the release of the 222 hostages in Gaza as well as delivering aid.
Another source claimed: “We’re helping answer those tough questions and making sure that they have clear objectives.”
It comes after Ofri Bibas Levy revealed Whatsapps from her brother, Yarden Bibas, who has been kidnapped by Hamas.
He has being held alongside his wife, Shiri, and two young children.
She told Sky News: “I told him to keep the kids quiet. He said ‘we’re trying, but it’s hard. They are babies’.
“Then he said he could hear a lot of gunfire right outside their house, and terrorists screaming in Arabic.”
A spokesperson for the State Department said: “As a general matter, we don’t comment on private diplomatic conversations.”
This is a breaking news story. More updates to follow…
