The United States has cautioned Israel against mirroring the northern Gaza campaign in the south, noting that the dynamics and civilian risks are different there. A Reuters report indicates that American officials are deeply concerned about a potential surge in civilian casualties if a similar large-scale operation were conducted in southern Gaza, where millions of Palestinians reside.
According to the report, President Joe Biden stressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the strategy used in the north cannot simply be replicated in the south. The emphasis was on avoiding a repeat of waves of fighting and displacement that could overwhelm local communities and humanitarian networks in densely populated areas.
Officials conveyed that U.S. policymakers would withhold formal support for a southern Gaza operation until Israel provides a full accounting of Palestinians displaced by previous fighting and ensures that civilian protection measures are in place. The message reflects a broaderAmerican concern about minimizing harm to noncombatants while achieving strategic aims in the conflict.
The crisis in the region intensified after thousands of Hamas militants crossed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, marking the launch of what Hamas described as Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that Israel was at war and mobilized its security forces for a broad campaign.
Earlier, Hamas released the first captives, highlighting the human toll of the confrontation and underscoring the urgency of negotiations and humanitarian access. The evolving situation has prompted calls from international allies for restraint, civilian protection, and structured exits for trapped or displaced residents, while continuing to address security threats and hostilities.