US President Joe Biden believes that a major Rafah operation by Israel will not advance the country’s objective of defeating Hamas in Gaza, the White House said according to Reuters.

“Smashing into Rafah, in his view, will not advance that objective,” spokesperson John Kirby said in a briefing with reporters.

Kirby said Hamas had been pressured significantly by Israel and that there were better ways now to go after what remains of the group’s leadership than an operation with significant risk to civilians.

“The argument that somehow we’re walking away from Israel, or we’re not willing to help them defeat Hamas just doesn’t comport with the facts.”

“We still believe that there’s a path forward, but it’s gonna take some leadership on both sides,” said Kirby.

“And it’s going to take a little bit of moral courage on both sides to finally be able to come across that table and ink this deal.”

Kirby said US-Israel consultations were ongoing about alternatives to a major ground operation in Rafah.

“That’s a choice that Israel will have to make,” he said of the offensive in densely packed Rafah.

“And it’s one we hope they don’t.”