US pushes Israel to end Gaza ground war within weeks: report

US pushes Israel to end Gaza ground war within weeks: report

President Biden's administration is pushing Israel to dramatically scale back its war against Hamas in Gaza by the end of the year, according to a new report.

According to the New York Times, the U.S. has asked that Israel turn to a more targeted strategy using Israeli special operations units to bring down Hamas leaders and rescue hostages. It would signal an end to the large-scale airstrikes and artillery barrages that have played the leading role in Israel's war thus far.

The report comes just after Biden himself criticized Israel's "indiscriminate bombing" in Gaza this week. He has also divided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the future of Gaza following the war. Biden has called for a two-state solution, while Netanyahu has warned that Israel will have to take control over the region for a significant period following the end of its campaign.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan was in Israel on Thursday, and Israeli officials told him that they do not expect the war to conclude for many months.