US NSA appeals Netanyahu to link Gaza war with 'political strategy' for enclave's future

United States President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan appealed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to link the ongoing Gaza war with a "political strategy" for the future of the territory.

Sullivan also discussed the "potential" of reaching a normalisation deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia aftertalks were heldin the region, said the White House on Sunday (May 19).

During the weekend, Sullivan held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Dharan on Saturday (May 18) before he went to Israel to hold talks with Netanyahuas well asother key officials.

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"Mr Sullivan briefed Prime Minister Netanyahu and his team on these meetings and the potential that may now be available for Israel, as well as the Palestinian people," said the White House.

Sullivandiscusses 'semi-final' version ofkeydeal with Saudi's PrinceMohammed

Earlier on Sunday (May 19), Saudi state media reported that Sullivan and the country's de factorulerPrinceMohammeddiscusseda "semi-final" version of a dealwhich is likely toincrease the security ties between the two nations.

That dealis seenas amajorpart of the efforts made by Washington to bring Riyadh around a mega-deal in which the state of Israel gets recognised for the first time.

Israel, which has relied on the United States for supply of military aid, did not immediately react. The country has pushed back Biden's appeal for restraint in Gaza.

Sullivanreiterates position of US inIsrael

During his visit to Israel, Sullivan had "reiterated the president's longstanding position on Rafah," the southern town in Gaza where Israel said it will launch a major offensive, said the White House.

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The Biden administration has been appealingto Israel to avoid any such offensive and recently paused the shipment of bombs to its ally amid concerns thatthey may be usedfor bombing Rafah.

Sullivan "reaffirmed the need for Israel to connect its military operations to a political strategy that can ensure the lasting defeat of Hamas, the release of all the hostages, and a better future for Gaza," said the WhiteHouse,in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies)