The Biden administration has reportedly advised Israel to postpone a ground invasion of Gaza, as they hope to negotiate the release of hostages and allow more humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians. The US officials are concerned about potential retaliatory attacks on US interests from Iran-backed groups once Israel fully enters Gaza. However, it is important to note that the administration is not demanding Israel to delay the invasion and still supports their goal of eradicating Hamas, the group controlling Gaza.
Recent developments, including the release of two American hostages by Hamas, have compelled the Biden administration to urgently suggest that Israel allows time for negotiations to secure the release of the remaining hostages. As a result, President Biden discussed the situation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reached an agreement to continue the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, as well as to work on the safe passage of US citizens and other civilians wishing to leave the region. The advice regarding delaying the land invasion was conveyed through Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, who has been in regular communication with his Israeli counterpart to discuss operational matters and the recovery of hostages.
While a diplomat from the Israeli Embassy in Washington denied that the US government was advising a delay in the ground invasion, an official familiar with the hostage negotiations said that Hamas had warned such an invasion would decrease the likelihood of hostage releases. US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been suffering from a severe crisis. American officials are cautious about fueling the perception that the US controls Israel, as it could potentially lead to a direct conflict with Iran or pro-Iran groups in the region.
In order to mitigate the threats posed by Iranian-supported militias in Iraq, the State Department ordered the departure of nonessential American government employees and their families from the US Embassy in Baghdad and the US Consulate in Erbil. The travel alert level for Iraq was also raised to Level 4, advising US citizens not to travel to the country due to concerns about terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, and civil unrest. The delicate wording of advice provided to Israel by American officials reflects the cautious approach taken, as President Biden raised questions and highlighted the risks and consequences of a ground invasion during his recent meeting with the Israeli war cabinet.
