Want it to end, but...: US on Isarel-Hamas war

December 15, 2023 10:11

The White House said on Thursday that it wants the Israel-Hamas war to end 'as soon as possible' but also clarified that Washington won't be dictating terms and Tel Aviv has the right to take it 'as long as they feel' to eliminate the Hamas threat.

US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said that the war could end if Hamas Head in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar surrenders and releases the hostages.

Addressing the press briefing on Thursday, Kirby said, "We all want it to end as soon as possible...it could end today if Sinwar did the right thing and laid down his arms and surrendered and gave the hostages back...that doesn't look likely right now."

The White House official further said that the war was started by Hamas and that Israel has the right and responsibility to continue it to protect its people.

"This war that Hamas started and Israel has a right and responsibility to continue to conduct this war and protect their people and protect their nation...how long that's going to take I can't predict," Kirby said.

He added, "We are not dictating terms to the Israelis about how long it has to take. It has to take as long as they feel they need to take to be able to eliminate this threat, but obviously, we all want it to be over as soon as possible." -- ANI

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