US urges Israel to end Gaza war sooner

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met Israeli officials yesterday and urged them to shift their strategy in the Gaza Strip from airstrikes and ground assaults to targeted operations.

He warned that a prolonged conflict could make governing the Palestinian territory more challenging after the war and emphasized the need to prioritize the protection of civilian lives.

The meeting comes at a time when there is a growing disconnect between the US and Israel over the number of casualties, the length of the conflict, international support for Israel’s campaign, and the future governance of the Strip.

In a gist 
The US is encouraging Israel to conclude the conflict sooner, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is determined to continue the war until the elimination of the Hamas organization in Gaza.

There is also domestic pressure and criticism President Joe Biden faces for supporting Israel in the war.

Jewish protesters demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza have held demonstrations in eight US cities, blocking rush hour traffic on busy streets and bridges in Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, according to Al Jazeera.

AI in war
Israeli Defense Forces say they are using an AI system, “the Gospel,” for targeting military operations in Gaza. The technology rapidly generates targets, assisting the military in identifying enemy combatants and equipment while minimizing civilian casualties.

However, critics point out there is a risk of biased data fed into the AI system.

An NPR analysis notes there has been a significant increase in the number of targets struck by Israel since the implementation of AI, further increasing Palestinian casualties.