The United States has urged Israel to pause its imminent ground operations in Gaza to allow further preparation for potential retaliation against military forces in the region and to create space for hostage-release discussions. This information comes from sources cited by the New York Times.
The described timeline suggests that, once a ground campaign begins, American officials anticipate an uptick in attacks aimed at U.S. forces stationed in the area. The same sources warn that regional actors with ties to Iran could coordinate or amplify such actions in response to events on the battlefield.
Separately, the report notes that Washington would prefer Israel to delay the operation so negotiations over hostage releases can proceed with greater leverage and time.
According to the described contacts, the message to delay the land operation reached Israeli leadership through the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin. He maintains ongoing dialogue with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant as the two sides discuss the level of military assistance and coordination for Israel’s security needs.
The article notes that Austin conveyed a clear priority for Washington: the safe return of hostages taken during the crisis remains at the top of U.S. concerns.
On 7 October, Hamas launched thousands of rockets toward Israel and announced the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. The attack included a mass incursion into Israeli territory, with militants seizing military equipment and hundreds of hostages. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is at war and mobilized the nation’s security apparatus.
The Israel Defense Forces launched an operation titled “Iron Swords,” with the stated aim of degrading Hamas’s capabilities. The Israeli Air Force conducted extensive strikes on targets across the Gaza Strip, while the National Security Council decided to restrict the flow of water, food, materials, electricity, and fuel into Gaza to curtail militant activity and pressure Hamas leadership. On October 13, Israel notified the United Nations that approximately 1.1 million Palestinians would be evacuated from northern to southern Gaza in advance of a broader ground campaign.
Earlier reports also indicated that at least 222 hostages were held in Gaza.