US Vice President Kamala Harris - who is expected to be the Democratic nominee for president in November - held what she described as "frank and constructive" talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a tougher tone than President Joe Biden, Ms Harris said she had made clear her “serious concerns” about the casualties in Gaza, and told Mr Netanyahu how important it was for Israel to defend itself.
“It is time to end this war,” she said after their face-to-face talks at the White House.
Ms Harris also stressed the need for a path to a two-state solution, while urging Americans to understand the “nuances” of the conflict.
Earlier on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu met with Mr Biden, who stepped down from his re-election campaign on Sunday.
Mr Netanyahu’s meetings at the White House came a day after he gave a fiery speech to Congress, pledging “total victory” against Hamas, as thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outside.
The prime minister is facing domestic and foreign pressure to end the war between Israel and Gaza, now in its ninth month.
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