Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended the military's actions in Gaza following a terror attack by Hamas on October 7th. Netanyahu compared the situation to what the United States would do if faced with a similar attack, stating that America would be taking even more robust actions. The death toll in the region has risen to nearly 30,000 as a result of the ongoing conflict, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.

President Biden has expressed a firmer stance towards Israel in recent weeks, calling for a pause in the fighting and a hostage exchange. Netanyahu has set three goals for Israel's actions in Gaza: to free the remaining hostages, to destroy Hamas, and to ensure that Gaza does not pose a future threat to Israel.

There is a divergence in the paths forward between the Biden administration and Netanyahu's government. While the White House supports Palestinian governance of Gaza and a two-state solution in the long term, Israel opposes these ideas. Israel recently opposed recognizing Palestinian statehood unilaterally, emphasizing the need for decisions to be made through negotiation.

In response to a fatal shooting attack by Palestinian gunmen, Israel's finance minister announced plans to build thousands of homes in settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Biden administration has criticized this move, stating that it is inconsistent with international law and weakens Israel's security.

President Biden has urged Netanyahu not to proceed with an invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where 1.4 million Palestinians have sought shelter from the conflict. Netanyahu stated that once the operation in Rafah begins, the intense phase of fighting will be weeks away from completion. He emphasized Israel's efforts to evacuate Palestinians out of harm's way and achieve total victory for a secure future for Israel and the Middle East.