
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is traveling to Saudi Arabia today for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and will be in Israel on Sunday, where he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that during talks with the Israelis, Mr. Sullivan is expected to emphasize the need for the fight against Hamas militants to be conducted by striking limited targets rather than through a large-scale offensive in the southern city of Gaza, Rafah.
Mr Kirby said that during meetings with Saudi officials, Mr Sullivan would discuss "bilateral and regional issues, including the war in Gaza and ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable peace and security in the region".
A US official said US Middle East envoy Brett McGurk was in the region this week for consultations, including a visit to Doha to discuss efforts to free people still held hostage by Hamas. The official added that Mr. McGurd will be with Mr. Sullivan in Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Mr Kirby said Mr Sullivan's talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials would include Rafah. Israel has warned of a broad offensive in Rafah, which has been opposed by the United States over concerns about the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who have taken refuge there to escape fighting in other areas of Gaza.
Mr Kirby said Mr Sullivan would also discuss recently stalled efforts to reach an agreement with Hamas to release sick, elderly and wounded hostages held by Hamas since it launched its attack on Israel on 7 October.