"US Urges Protection of Civilians as Israel-Hamas Conflict Grips Gaza"

The United States and Israel are in disagreement over the timing of scaling down the war in Gaza, with President Joe Biden's national security adviser stating that the timing is now the subject of "intensive discussion" between the allies. Biden had previously criticized Israel for "indiscriminate" airstrikes killing civilians. While the US wants a transition to more targeted operations against Hamas leaders in around three weeks, Israeli officials have publicly stated that they will continue the war until they achieve their aim of eradicating Hamas. Aid agencies have long pleaded for Israel to speed up deliveries by allowing aid to enter directly at the Kerem Shalom crossing, and Israel has now announced that it will open the main road link into Gaza for aid shipments. The fighting in Gaza continues, with intense ground fighting expanding across the length of the strip and reports of a humanitarian catastrophe.