The United States is not trying to dictate restrictions on Israel, the White House said on Friday, as Israel expanded its military operation in Gaza against Hamas militants, Reuters reported.

The new Israeli military attack comes as the United States tries to organize a humanitarian pause in the delivery of fuel and emergency aid to civilians in Gaza. It was not clear how the extended ground operation would affect the break effort.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby declined to comment on Israel’s massive ground operation. But he said Washington supports Israel’s right to defend itself after Hamas militants killed 1,400 people in southern Israel on October 7. “We do not draw red lines for Israel,” he said.

He said the United States continues to discuss with Israel the goals of its operation, the need to protect civilians in Gaza, efforts to ensure the safe return of Israeli hostages and the need to consider what happens after ground operations from Gaza.

“From the very beginning, we had and will continue to have discussions with them about how they do it. And we have not shied away from expressing our concern about civilian casualties, collateral damage and the approach they may choose. That’s what friends can do, and we’re friends,” he said.

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