US national security advisor Jake Sullivan has reaffirmed Washington’s firm support for the Israeli regime and its “right to self-defense” against retaliatory rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, amid Tel Aviv’s relentless onslaught on the besieged enclave.
Sullivan made the remarks in a phone call with his Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi on Thursday, where they discussed the situation in Gaza and the exchange of fire between Palestinian resistance groups and the occupying regime.
In a statement, the White House said Sullivan emphasized “the US government’s ironclad support for Israel’s security, as well as its right to defend its people from indiscriminate rocket attacks.”
“Sullivan also pointed to the continuation of regional efforts to broker a ceasefire and emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions and prevent further loss of life,” the statement added.
It came hours after the Israeli regime targeted a building in Hamad Residential City, near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, killing three Palestinians, including a top commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement.
The Israeli media reported that the Israeli army was preparing for a broad response from the Islamic Jihad, after the assassination of ts senior commander.
The Israeli regime has been staging back-to-back aerial assaults against the blockaded Palestinian enclave since Tuesday.
At least 25 Palestinians have been martyred and dozens of others injured as a result of the incessant aggression.
The fatalities include three other senior commanders of the Islamic Jihad as well as their wives and children.
Israel’s continuous attacks have drawn widespread international condemnation, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging the occupying regime to “immediately” stop the bloodshed.
On Wednesday, Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza fired a new batch of retaliatory rockets toward Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, in response to the regime’s deadly air raids.
Tel Aviv has admitted that at least 500 rockets were fired toward the occupied territories from the besieged Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin underscored his continued support for Israel’s security, while urging de-escalation towards a sustainable calm.
Austin made the remarks on Wednesday, during a call with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, where he reportedly provided the Pentagon chief with a review of the Israeli strikes in Gaza, Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said.
The two officials agreed to stay in touch in the coming days and weeks.
Israel attacked Gaza with US green light
Meanwhile, Hebrew-language media outlets have reported that the United States has given the green light to the occupying regime to carry out its latest airstrikes in Gaza.
Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen had a phone conversation with his American counterpart before launching the attacks on Tuesday, the media outlets said.
They also claimed that after the attack, the occupying regime has informed Egypt about its details.