US President Joe Biden’s National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, spoke on Wednesday with National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
A statement from the White House following the call said that “Sullivan reaffirmed the Administration’s ironclad support for Israel’s security, as well as its right to defend its people from indiscriminate rocket attacks.”
“Sullivan also noted continued regional efforts to broker a ceasefire, and emphasized the need to deescalate tensions and prevent further loss of life,” the statement added.
The call took place after Israel was attacked by more than 400 rockets that were fired from the Gaza Strip.
Additional barrages of rockets were fired at communities in southern and central Israel on Wednesday evening, even after Egyptian media reported that Egypt had brokered a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip.
On Tuesday, the White House said it was closely following Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip. A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said Washington is also aware of reports that 10 civilians were "tragically killed" in the strikes.
"We call for all parties to deescalate the situation," said the spokesperson, according to the Reuters news agency.
"Israel has the right to protect itself and defend its people from indiscriminate rocket attacks launched by terrorist groups," added the spokesperson.
Later in the day, US Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement voicing support for Israeli strikes in Gaza, in which top Islamic Jihad terrorists were eliminated.
“Israel has taken necessary action against terrorist leaders in the Gaza Strip to protect its citizens and maintain national security. Such Iran-controlled terrorists pose a direct threat not only to Israel but also to the safety and security of the American people,” said Cruz.
“The government of Israel has the responsibility and obligation to defend its citizens, and I stand with our ally as it confronts those who seek chaos and destruction. The United States must continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself, and ensure it has the military resources and diplomatic support it needs,” he added.
And, on Wednesday, former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, expressed support for Israel as it came under attack from hundreds of rockets that were fired from the Gaza Strip.
“Israel is defending itself the same way America would defend ourselves if someone was shooting missiles at us,” tweeted Haley.
“We will always have the backs of our friends,” she stressed.