Five Israeli officials and Western diplomats told Axios of Biden's plans as Israel and Hamas were engaged in their most intense fighting in seven years. Action increased overnight when Hamas and other militants fired a second barrage of above 100 rockets toward Tel Aviv and other nearby cities.
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Israel destroyed high-rise buildings, Hamas facilities, and rocket units in the Gaza Strip via a continued air campaign.
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The Israeli-Palestinian conflict had been a relatively low priority for the Biden administration. Biden didn't appoint an envoy for the issue and still hasn't nominated an ambassador to Israel.
Thus, there has been no senior U.S. diplomat on the ground to talk to either Israeli or Palestinian leadership.
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This situation demands more serious attention.
U.S. and Israeli officials told Axios the Biden administration was trying to work with Egypt to push for de-escalation. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs Hady Amr was expected to travel to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, though Israeli officials said they were waiting on final confirmation.
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Amr has been functioning as the de-facto consul general and point of contact to the Palestinians, too.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke to his Egyptian counterpart, Abbas Kamel, on Tuesday. The White House revealed "steps to restore calm over the coming days" were discussed.
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Sullivan also spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Meir Ben Shabbat. The White House said Sullivan denounced the Hamas rocket attacks and "conveyed the President's unwavering support for Israel's security and for its legitimate right to defend itself and its people, while protecting civilians."
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Axios reported Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Tuesday with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.
Israeli sources reveal Blinken didn't push the Israelis to cease operations in Gaza, but stressed the U.S. sought to avoid all-out war and civilian casualties in the area.
Egyptian and United Nations mediators have been talking to both sides, with the Israeli government rebuffing efforts calling for a ceasefire, Israeli sources said.
"We're escalating towards a full-scale war. Leaders on all sides have to take the responsibility of de-escalation. The cost of war in Gaza is devastating. Stop the violence now," U.N. envoy Tor Wennesland said Tuesday.
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The Israeli security cabinet was expected to convene Wednesday to discuss the Gaza operation. Officials said they wanted to hit Hamas harder as a way to reinforce deterrence before engaging in ceasefire talks.
The U.N. Security Council also was scheduled to convene in a Wednesday morning closed session to discuss the Gaza crisis.
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On Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden had directed his team to "engage intensively" with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
"His team is communicating a clear and consistent message in support of de-escalation and that is our primary focus," she said as reported by CNN. "The President's support for Israel's security, for its legitimate right to defend itself and its people is fundamental and will never waver."
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