National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with his Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi.  He expressed his condolences on behalf of President Biden and the American people on Israel’s Memorial Day.  He emphasized that this is the first Memorial Day to commemorate the victims of Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attacks that killed over 1,000 Israelis. Mr. Sullivan affirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to Israel’s security and the defeat of Hamas in Gaza. They also discussed the situation in Gaza and ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages.  Mr. Sullivan reiterated President Biden’s longstanding concerns over the potential for a major military ground operation into Rafah, where over one million people have taken shelter. He discussed alternative courses of action to ensure the defeat of Hamas everywhere in Gaza. Mr. Hanegbi confirmed that Israel is taking U.S. concerns into account.  Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Hanegbi then reviewed the substantive discussions to date of the Strategic Consultative Group. They agreed to establish another in-person meeting soon. 

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