The United States and "Israel" are experiencing growing divergences over "Israel's" genocidal campaign in Gaza, particularly in the southern part of the enclave, sources with direct knowledge of the discussions told Axios on Thursday.

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Chief of Staff Gen. Herzi Halevi reportedly informed Secretary of State Tony Blinken that the operation is expected to extend "more than a few additional weeks," raising concerns in the White House about increased civilian casualties and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

The US administration, worried about the potential for more civilian casualties and its repercussions, is urging "Israel" to consider alternative strategies in the southern Gaza Strip. US President Joe Biden reportedly cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that replicating the aggression and ground invasion seen in northern Gaza in the southern region would not be acceptable.

"Israel" had ordered over a million Palestinians to evacuate northern Gaza before its ground invasion began, and restrictions have been placed on Palestinians returning during the ongoing humanitarian pause.

Read more: 'Israel' fabricates PR plot to sway US officials over ongoing genocide

During Blinken's meeting with Netanyahu and his war cabinet in occupied Al-Quds, the focus was on discussing "Israel's" plans for southern Gaza. Sources indicate that the talks involved a "frank exchange of views," hinting at potential disagreements on the path forward for the IOF aggression. Blinken reportedly sought insights into the expected duration of the genocidal campaign in its current scope.

Although Blinken did not request "Israel" to halt the operation, he expressed concerns about potential international pressure and urged additional measures to minimize civilian casualties in a ground invasion. Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Halevi argued that a ground invasion would cause fewer civilian casualties than air strikes.

Blinken delivers sharp message to Israelis as resumption of war looms: WashPo

According to The Washington Post, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a "sharp message" to Israeli officials on Thursday, pleading with them to adhere to "international humanitarian law" and not to begin their attack on the heavily populated Gaza Strip until they have "they generate a plan to protect civilians."

The talks were the most challenging Blinken has had since October 7. He is currently on his third trip to the area, and they represented the Biden administration's delicate balancing act of continuing to support Washington's closest Middle East ally while also acknowledging that top US officials "are increasingly uncomfortable with the hardfisted way Israeli forces are engaged in combat."

President Biden's initial "bear hug" strategy of unwavering support has evolved into one in which American officials have retreated from "scorched-earth Israeli tactics" and advocated for a more focused military plan in response to mounting domestic and international criticism.

War in northern Gaza Strip cannot be repeated in its south: Blinken told Halevy

Commenting on the event and the meetings, Israeli Channel 12 reported that “disagreements arose between Israel and the United States regarding the fighting in southern Gaza.”

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“Blinken visited Israel for the fourth time since the beginning of the war and met with senior officials at the political level, and the tone was harsh and reached a confrontation in the war cabinet session,” The broadcaster reported.

Yaron Avraham, political affairs correspondent for Channel 12, also said that “Blinken’s meetings were charged, and he expressed very great fear and criticism regarding the Israeli military and political steps.”

He explained that "Blinken met with members of the war cabinet and received from Halevy a presentation containing very detailed principles for the planned fighting in the southern Gaza Strip, and this was the moment when the confrontation emerged."

According to Channel 12, It was revealed that Blinken told Halevy, “The way you worked in the north of the Gaza Strip cannot be repeated in the south, as there are two million Palestinians, and you must evacuate a smaller number of residents from homes and be more precise in attacks, and you must not harm United Nations facilities and ensure that there are areas "is safe enough, and if that is not the case, then you should not attack where there is a civilian population."

But the Chief of Staff of the occupation forces replied: “We work based on several principles: proportionality, discrimination, and international law. There were cases in which we attacked based on these principles, and there were cases in which we decided not to attack and waited for a better opportunity.”

Security Minister Gallant told Blinken that "all of Israeli society is united behind the goal of undermining Hamas, even if it takes months," but Blinken replied, “I do not think you have months,” Channel 13 reported.

"The matter is not over with this, because the United States has something to say about the day after the war as well, and what the future will look like, and they are asking to know that now," Blinken continued.

According to Israeli Channel 12, "Blinken said in the room to Netanyahu: You do not want the Palestinian Authority (of Hamas) there the next day. We understood. The best way to kill an idea is to present a better idea," noting that, "In the meantime, silence prevailed in the room, and Blinken continued to speak, saying that "Even the countries in the region must know what they are planning."

Here Netanyahu answered him, saying, “As long as I am sitting in this chair, the Palestinian Authority, which supports terrorism, teaches terrorism, and finances it, will not control Gaza one day after Hamas.”

Blinken added: “Having said all this, there is no doubt that the American administration stands firmly behind Israel, but this is under conditions, which is that Israel works to implement and expand humanitarian aid and fight like a democratic state.” He also explained that “the clock is ticking backward.” "We want to see clear plans for the next day."

As the conflict continues, the death toll in Gaza, according to the Ministry of Health in the Hamas-run territory, has surpassed 18,000 martyrs. Netanyahu reaffirmed "Israel's" commitment to continue the war until three goals are achieved: freeing all captives, eliminating the Palestinian resistance, and ensuring that no future threat arises from Gaza.

Read more: Report details how every Israeli kill in Gaza was planned, intentional

Following almost 2 months of war, the Israelis have failed to reach any of the Resistance's high-ranking officials, falling short of accomplishing their announced war goals.

In fact, some reports suggest that the aggression on Gaza has had no effect on the Palestinian resistance at all.

On another note, "Israel" and the resistance agreed earlier today to extend a temporary truce by another day, as reported by Qatar, which has been mediating between the two sides.

The extension was announced moments before the truce was set to expire at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Thursday.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry stated that the truce would continue under the same terms as before, involving the release of 10 Israeli captives per day in exchange for the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners.