US Will Work To Extend Israel-Hamas "Pause" Further

White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby has told reporters that the US, "welcomes" an extension of the truce between Israel and Hamas, which was announced a short time ago, and says President Biden and "his entire national security team will remain "engaged" to implement the extension of the original agreement, "as well as efforts to extend the pause even from there."

• Kirby says, in response to a question asking if President Biden is considering conditioning aid to Israel, "[Biden would say] its a worthwhile thought but the approach we're taking now is working."
• Kirby indicates that the White House remains opposed to calling for a 'ceasefire,' stating that "its a real risk" that Hamas, "which clearly doesn't abide by any laws of war, would try to take advantage of any pause in fighting for their own benefit."
• Further on the prospect of a ceasefire, Kirby says that, "as you've heard the Israelis say, once the pauses are over, they intend to go right back at military operations."
• On Argentina, Kirby says that White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will meet with Argentina President-elect Javier Milei during his ongoing trip to Washington DC, although Kirby says that Milei is predominantly in DC to meet with the IMF and World Bank over their "fiscal and economic issues."