Biden’s national security chief arrives in Israel for talks on Gaza war

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – US national security adviser Jake Sullivan arrived in Israel on Thursday for talks on the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, Army Radio reported.

The White House said Sullivan will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and other senior officials during his two-day visit.

His visit comes two days after US President Joe Biden said that Israel was losing support around the world and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has to strengthen and change" his government.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 18,608 Palestinians have been killed and 50,594 injured in the Israeli onslaught since then, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stood at 1,200, while around 139 hostages remained in captivity, according to official figures.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar