America urges Israel to stop fighting in Gaza, 12 Palestinians killed in West Bank

The United States has urged Israel to quickly end the high-intensity fighting in Gaza. It comes as Israel faces international outrage over the killing of civilians and rare criticism from the United States. Meanwhile, 12 Palestinians were killed after an Israeli raid helped the IDF capture dozens of militants. In recent years Israel has significantly expanded settlements in the West Bank, leaving less territory for a viable Palestinian state. More than 18,400 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing war, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled area. Israel says 113 of its soldiers have been killed in ground attacks after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 and taking about 240 hostages.

US President Joe Biden has urged Israel to take greater precautions to protect civilians in Gaza. He also said that the United States wants Israel to reduce its attacks against the terrorist group Hamas. Speaking to reporters after an event at a medical research center near Washington, Biden said I want them to focus on how to save civilian lives, not just stop going after Hamas, but more Be careful.

Biden aide Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, visited Israel to meet with officials. He said he held intense, detailed talks with Israeli officials on moving away from high-intensity fighting in Gaza and focusing on more precise fighting and targeting top Hamas targets. Sullivan also said Israel faces the incredible burden of needing to act against an enemy that has infiltrated the civilian population, using civilians as human shields.