"Jake Sullivan and President Biden address Israel's security challenges amidst ongoing conflict"

National security adviser Jake Sullivan defended his previous remarks describing the Middle East region as "quieter" before the recent Hamas attack on Israel. Sullivan explained that his assessment was made in the context of developments in the wider Middle East region over the past few years, acknowledging ongoing challenges such as tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and Iran's nuclear weapons program. He emphasized that the Biden administration did not take its eye off the threats to Israel and has continued to support them. Sullivan also addressed efforts to help Americans in Gaza and stated that President Biden's priority is to secure the safe return of Americans held hostage by Hamas.