White House sees no signs of genocide in Gaza - US national security adviser Jake Sullivan

Jake Sullivan, national security adviser of the US government, said that the White House administration does not see evidence of genocide by Israel in Gaza. This was reported by Reuters, citing a US government source. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-we-do-not-believe-genocide-is-occurring-gaza-2024-05-13/

According to Sullivan, the United States wants to see the defeat of Hamas. A government official in Washington also noted that Palestinians living in the midst of war are living in dire conditions and that Israel's large-scale military operation in Rafah was a mistake.

"We do not believe that what is happening in Gaza is genocide. We have strongly denied this claim," Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House.

The security adviser expressed concern over reports that Israeli settlers attacked a humanitarian aid convoy heading towards the Erez crossing in northern Gaza. The occurrence of such an event for the second time in less than a week indicated that the situation could become extremely serious.

Jake Sullivan said that US President Biden tried to influence Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu's approach to the war. However, the country's top officials emphasize that Israel is a sovereign, democratic state and insist that it should ultimately make the decision.

"The prime minister of Israel does not have to answer us. He must answer to the people of Israel," said Sullivan.