In a significant development, a high-ranking U.S. State Department official, Andrew Miller, has resigned from President Joe Biden's administration. Confirming the resignation, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed regret over Andrew Miller's departure but wished him well in his future endeavors, according to The Washington Post.

Andrew Miller, known for his skepticism towards Biden's support for Israel, favored a more decisive break with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the recent Gaza conflict. This resignation follows the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which began on October 7, 2023. According to reports by the Associated Press, the conflict has resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties and over 34,000 deaths in Gaza.

Criticism has been mounting against Biden's handling of the war, with Republicans calling for stronger support for Israel, while Democrats urge the president to push for a ceasefire. The resignation of Andrew Miller, who held the position of deputy assistant secretary for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs, marks the highest-ranking departure from the Biden administration since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The White House's decision to withhold weapons intended for Israel ahead of an offensive operation in Rafah further intensified the spotlight on Biden's stance. In a recent CNN interview, the president defended this move, stating, "I'm not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah."

Experts, including Suzanne Maloney from the Brookings Institute, have noted that Miller's departure will be a loss for the State Department and the Biden administration in general. Maloney highlighted the toll the conflict has taken on those working to address its security implications for the United States and its allies.

While it remains unclear if the White House or President Biden will directly respond to Miller's resignation, this development underscores the significance of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the challenges faced by U.S. officials in navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of the region.

Update: This article was revised on June 21, 2024, at 1:51 p.m. ET to include additional information.