Washington expects that the most intense phase of the Israeli war on Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip will be reduced in early next January, to become more targeted, according to what American officials confirmed to the British newspaper “Financial Times” on Tuesday.

Officials say that Israel still has what they described as “legitimate military targets” in southern Gaza, justifying its ongoing attack around Khan Yunis and other areas where senior Hamas activists are believed to be hiding, but Washington expects a shift in tactics away from a full-scale ground attack. Most likely in January, there will be successive raids to pursue senior Hamas leaders and other high-value targets, according to what officials who spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity confirm.

A senior US administration official says: “Now is the most intense phase,” stressing that at some point, the approach will be different, with fewer forces on the ground.

In addition, a senior Israeli official says that there is no disagreement between the United States and Israel regarding the objectives of the operation, which are to eliminate Hamas, end its ability to rule the Gaza Strip or attack Israel. He adds: “There is a high level of understanding of what we are doing,” stressing that Israeli officials inform their American counterparts about the operations they are carrying out several times a week.

While American officials stress that they do not want to see Israel occupy Gaza, they acknowledge that a temporary occupation may be necessary until long-term arrangements are reached with Arab countries and other partners.

Israel said it expects security control over the Gaza Strip indefinitely, but American officials stress that this does not mean a long-term occupation.

The Financial Times quotes a senior American official as saying that the Israelis understand that controlling Gaza does not mean being there, but rather retaining the right to enter it.

Expectations that Israel will change its tactics come at a time when US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is preparing to visit the region again this week to hold discussions about the war and preparations for the period that follows. He is expected to urge the occupation government to be more precise in its military operations, and to allow greater humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.