Israel pushes for control in northern Gaza; Biden, Netanyahu discuss outlook
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Emily Rose
CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) — Israel fought to wrest full control of northern Gaza from Hamas militants as the U.S. and Israeli leaders discussed the outlook for the 11-week-old war, after the U.N. Security Council appealed for more aid for the Palestinian enclave.
Thick smoke hung over the northern town of Jabalia on Saturday and residents reported persistent aerial bombardment and shelling from Israeli tanks, which they said had moved further into the town.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the «objectives and phasing» of Israel's military operations, the need to protect civilian lives and securing the release of hostages from the Palestinian militant group, the White House said.
Netanyahu «made clear that Israel will pursue the war until all of its objectives are fully met», his office said.
Israel's main ally has maintained its support while expressing concern over the growing casualty toll and humanitarian crisis in densely populated Gaza. U.S. officials have said they expect Israel to shift soon to a lower-intensity phase, with operations targeting the Hamas leadership and its infrastructure.
Biden told reporters he «did not ask for a ceasefire», while Netanyahu's office said he thanked Biden for the U.S. stand at the U.N. Security Council.
The council averted a threatened U.S. veto on Friday after days of wrangling by removing from a draft resolution a call for an immediate end to the war and diluting Israeli control over aid deliveries. The U.S. and Israel oppose a ceasefire, contending it would let Iran-backed Hamas regroup and rearm.
Washington abstained from the final statement, which urges steps to allow «safe, unhindered, and
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