In a private meeting held at the White House, top Biden officials expressed concerns about Israel's bombing campaign in Gaza, revealing discrepancies between their internal doubts and external support for Israel, according to three anonymous sources familiar with the meeting. The officials noted that Israel was regularly bombing buildings without solid intelligence to confirm if they were legitimate military targets. They also discussed the apparent lack of a clear Israeli plan for defeating Hamas, despite repeated U.S. prodding.

Publicly, the Biden administration had been providing unwavering support to Israel following the Oct. 7 attacks, in which Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took around 250 others hostage. White House spokesperson John Kirby had stated that there were no "red lines" imposed on Israel's military campaign. However, privately, the administration voiced frustration and uncertainty about how the war would end, as they acknowledged a lack of a definable and achievable military objective on Israel's part.

The previously undisclosed meeting shed light on the emerging discrepancies between the Biden team's concerns and their outward support for Israel. Throughout the conflict, President Biden and his aides consistently defended Israel, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defied the U.S. on various matters, including protecting civilians, aid delivery, and accepting a Palestinian state.

While Israel's Embassy in Washington denied the claims of insufficient intelligence in its targeting, stating that it adhered to international law, it acknowledged the importance of minimizing harm to civilians during its operations.

This article, based on interviews with administration officials and external advisers, highlights how Biden has found himself deeply entangled in a conflict he did not want, one that could become a defining element of his presidency. Despite the initial strategy of providing Israel with unequivocal support to influence its conduct of the war, administration officials privately admit that this approach is heading towards failure. There is a notable frustration and uncertainty about the war's conclusion during private discussions.

On Monday, Biden voiced his frustration to Netanyahu, urging him not to surge into Rafah and demanding that Israel send a team to Washington to consult on a better strategy. The president's allies acknowledge that the conflict has caused significant damage domestically and globally and could potentially become his biggest foreign policy challenge.

While Biden officials claim to have influenced Israel at key moments, such as reducing troops in Gaza and allowing limited aid, experts still consider the war to be among the deadliest and most destructive in modern history. Israel argues that a significant proportion of those killed have been Hamas militants or their allies.

As the conflict continues, Biden faces a crucial moment in determining the consequences for Israel's actions. Netanyahu has declared his intent to invade Rafah, a move described as a "disaster" by White House spokesman John Kirby. Biden has emphasized the need for a credible plan to protect civilians and has shown increased criticism towards Israel in recent weeks.

Critics, including Senator Chris Van Hollen, express concern that the Biden administration's private attempts to influence Israel have yielded few meaningful results. They highlight a significant gap between the president's demands and the actions taken by the Netanyahu government. Van Hollen warns that failure to hold Israel accountable may portray the United States as weak.

Throughout the conflict, Biden has shown a strong emotional attachment to Israel and publicly supported its right to take action against Hamas. However, he has also urged restraint and warned against blind revenge, noting the mistakes made by the United States after 9/11.

As the conflict continues, questions remain about the alignment of interests between the U.S. and Israel. Israel's military campaign has faced increasing skepticism, both domestically and internationally, as reports of civilian casualties and catastrophic conditions in Gaza emerge.

The Biden administration continues to grapple with the complex dynamics of the conflict, as they seek to balance their support for Israel with their concerns over the violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The outcome of this delicate situation remains uncertain, with significant implications for Biden's presidency and U.S.-Israel relations.