Israel Resists Pressure to Scale Back Gaza War; Netanyahu Aide Meets U.S. Officials

Over 20,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict, while Hamas still holds 129 hostages; Israel aims to remove Hamas from power and demilitarize the group.

Senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ron Dermer, met with U.S. officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to discuss the ongoing war in Gaza.
Despite international pressure, Israel has resisted scaling back its military campaign in Gaza, with Netanyahu stating that the war 'isn't close to finished' and that Israel would be 'expanding the fight in the coming days.'
The Israeli assault, launched in response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas fighters, is estimated to have killed more than 20,000 Palestinians.
Hamas has released 110 of the hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attack so far, with many of the releases occurring during a November temporary cease-fire brokered by the U.S. Israeli officials have said Hamas still holds 129 hostages, including 21 Israelis believed to be dead in that figure.
Netanyahu outlined three primary goals for the war: removing Hamas from power in Gaza, demilitarizing the U.S.-designated terrorist group, and the deradicalization of Palestinians.