US reiterates opposition to Gaza ceasefire, says it is not 'right answer right now'

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The White House reiterated its opposition to a humanitarian ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip Monday, saying it would only benefit Hamas.

"We do not believe that a ceasefire is the right answer right now. We believe that a ceasefire right now benefits Hamas," National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters. "Hamas is the only one that would gain from that right now as Israel continues to prosecute their operations against Hamas leadership."

Rather than a wider ceasefire or truce to end ongoing hostilities that have claimed thousands of lives, the US has promoted localized humanitarian pauses to facilitate the delivery of badly needed international assistance, and potentially evacuate people seeking to flee the violence.