The United States is not trying to dictate limits for Israel, the White House has said, Reuters reports.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby, at a news briefing, did not comment on the Israeli expanded ground operation. But he said Washington supported Israel’s right to defend itself.

“We’re not drawing red lines for Israel,” he said.

He said the United States continued to discuss with Israel the aims of its operation, the need to protect civilians in Gaza, the effort to gain the safe return of Israeli hostages, and the need to consider what comes after ground operations in Gaza.

“Since the very beginning, we have had and will continue to have conversations with them about the manner in which they’re doing this. And we have not been shy about expressing our concerns over civilian casualties, collateral damage, and the approach that they might choose to take. That’s what friends can do, and we’re friends,” he said.