The United States wants Israel to reduce the war in Gaza. How much leverage does it have?

There are ways to persuade Israel to change its strategy in Gaza, but each option comes with a political and diplomatic cost for President Biden.

In recent days, U.S. officials have said they want Israel to consider scaling back its large-scale ground and air campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. President Biden criticized Israel for its “indiscriminate bombing” of civilians. And Jake Sullivan, the president's national security adviser, visited Israel to discuss the next phase of the war.

It signals a shift in the how Mr. Biden and his advisers have managed the relationship between the United States and Israel since the attack on October 7.

“We have seen a change in in relation to the behind-the-scenes pressure that the administration exerted very early on. “Today there have been a lot more public exhortations, leaks and public appeals,” said Dov Waxman, a professor of Israeli studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. “Clearly, the administration is starting to lose patience. »

The United States has some strategies it could implement to persuade Israel to change tactics, although all of them would have political significance. and the diplomatic costs for Mr. Biden.

Here's a look at some of the key points of American influence.

The United States could impose conditions on the money it gives to Israel.

As part of a 10-year security assistance agreement created under the Obama administration, Israel receives some $3.8 billion from the United States each year, a figure that represents up to 15 percent of Israel's defense budget. Israel.

The State Department must approve when Israel uses this amount. money to buy large weapons or munitions tranches, so the administration can find ways to oppose or slow down the delivery of weapons.

On the other hand, the State Department has the ability to bypass Congress, as it did last week when it approved sending $106 million worth of tank ammunition to Israel.

Since most US arms sales come with strings attached – Ukraine, for example, is prohibited from firing US-made missiles into Russian territory – Mr Biden could impose a similar limit on how US bombs are used in high-density civilian areas like Gaza. But this could put him at odds with the pro-Israel lobby with which he has sympathized for many years.

Friday, a senior administration official said he attached conditions to US aid not being part of the current strategy. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal politics.

Israel needs support from the Biden administration not only to continue to resupply its forces, but also to protect its forces. under international pressure from other corners, including the United Nations.

The United States, which is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, used their veto power last week to block a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The United States may decide not to use its veto in this way in the future.

Mr. Biden could also continue to emphasize the need for a two-state solution, which could put political pressure on Mr. Netanyahu.

But any of These actions would come at a significant cost to Mr. Biden, who has drawn much from his half-century relationship with Mr...