“We do not support a ceasefire this time. And I think it's important that we talk a little bit about what we mean when we talk about a permanent ceasefire. That is a step that you take in, in advance of ending the conflict. Both sides lay down their arms, and it's a sign that we're going to get into some sort of negotiations to end the conflict,” Kirby told Rudaw’s Diyar Kurda during a press briefing.
He added that a permanent ceasefire would be in the interest of Hamas, allowing it to regroup and train for more attacks on Israel.
However, Washington supports the continuation of human aid to civilians in Gaza, Kirby noted.
A week-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that temporarily halted the airstrikes on Gaza and resulted in hostage exchanges between the two sides came to an end on Thursday.
Israeli airstrikes have killed over 16,000 Palestinians and injured over 41,000 since the start of the war on October 7th.
The Nasser Medical Complex in the southern Gaza Strip has been overwhelmed with the wounded. Some receive treatment in the hospital's corridors, with people barely managing to walk between the injured.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza has repeatedly appealed to the international community to provide the necessary medical aid and allow the wounded to leave for treatment outside the Gaza Strip.