US pressuring Israel to delay ground invasion, allow hostage negotiations to continue

The White House is pressuring Israel to delay an expected ground invasion into Gaza in order to allow for negotiations to release further hostages, according to reports in CNN.

According to two sources who were present at the discussions, the US "pressed Israeli leadership to delay because of progress on the hostage front", as well as the need for aid trucks into Gaza.

However, a senior Israeli official denied that the US is seeking a delay of its ground incursion into Gaza. "We deny this report. We have a close dialogue and consultations with the US administration. The US is not pressing Israel in regards to the ground operation," the official said.