The US government has pressed Israel to delay its imminent ground offensive in the Gaza Strip to allow for the release of more Hamas hostages and aid into Gaza, CNN reported on Sunday, citing two sources briefed on the discussions. “The [administration] pressed Israeli leadership to delay because of progress on the hostage front” and the need to get trucks of aid into Gaza, one person familiar with the discussions said. The National Security Council did not immediately respond for comment. When US President Joe Biden was asked Saturday if he was encouraging Israel to delay the invasion, he responded: "I'm talking to the Israelis." In the meantime, the President on Sunday took to social media in an attempt to cool off Israel's battle plans. "Israel has the right to defend itself. We must make sure they have what they need to protect their people today and always," Biden wrote on X. "At the same time, Prime Minister Netanyahu and I have discussed how Israel must operate by the laws of war. That means protecting civilians in combat as best as they can," he added. The President continued, "We can’t ignore the humanity of innocent Palestinians who only want to live in peace. That’s why I secured an agreement for the first shipment of humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians in Gaza. And we cannot give up on a two-state solution."