By Staff, Agencies

US officials have expressed concerns that ‘Israel’ has no workable plan for sending ground forces into Gaza, and are questioning whether the ‘Israeli’ military can achieve its goal of annihilating the Palestinian Hamas resistance group, according to the New York Times.

In recent discussions with his ‘Israeli’ counterpart Yoav Gallant, US War Secretary Lloyd Austin has emphasized the need for “careful consideration” before launching a ground campaign in the densely populated territory, the New York Times reported on Monday.

“The [US] administration is also concerned… that the ‘Israeli’ Forces do not yet have a clear military pathway to achieve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s goal of eradicating Hamas,” the outlet said, adding that “In conversations with ‘Israeli’ officials since the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, American officials said they have not yet seen an achievable plan of action.”

Although the White House has maintained that American officials are not making decisions on ‘Israel’s’ behalf, the Pentagon has reportedly dispatched three-star Marine Lt. Gen. James Glynn to advise the ‘Israeli’ military on urban operations.

Glynn will reportedly advise ‘Israeli’ forces on “how to mitigate civilian casualties in urban warfare,” according to the Associated Press, which cited an unnamed US official. However, National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby told reporters on Monday that American advisers will not serve in a combat role, and would merely consult with ‘Israeli’ commanders. Another unnamed official told the New York Times, meanwhile, that Glynn would not remain on the ground in ‘Israel’ should a ground invasion begin.

During a call with Gallant on Monday, Austin reportedly emphasized “the importance of civilian protection,” and “encouraged” the ‘Israeli’ military to “conduct their operations in accordance with the law of war.”

The Zionist military has already come under fire from some human rights groups for strikes on civilian structures in Gaza, which have left at least 5,000 Palestinians martyred and thousands more injured, according to local officials.

Hundreds of thousands of residents in Gaza have been displaced amid the violence, with many in dire need of aid, also prompting warnings of a looming humanitarian disaster from the United Nations and other organizations.