White House seeks vast weapons package ‘to help Israel defend itself’

National security adviser Jake Sullivan says ‘no higher priority’ to Biden than return of hostages, as Israel prepares ground troops

Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan toured the US Sunday morning shows to sell White House policy on the conflict between Israel and Hamas as Israeli forces massed on the border ahead of an expected ground incursion into Gaza and a deepening humanitarian crisis there.

Sullivan said the administration would seek a new weapons package for Israel and Ukraine that will be significantly higher than $2bn, and hold intensive talks with US lawmakers.