The United States does not intend to send troops to the Middle East to participate in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but would use any means necessary to free US citizens held hostage in the Gaza Strip, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Sunday.
"There is no plans or intentions to put US troops on the ground to fight in this fight between Israel and Hamas," Kirby told Fox News.
Washington is actively trying to locate US captives in Gaza and determine their number, Kirby said, adding that "nothing is more important" to US President Joe Biden than safe release of US nationals held hostage abroad.
"What I won't do is rule anything in or out when it comes to getting our hostages home. We're working on this literally by the hour," he added, when asked by the anchor if the US "would absolutely rule out" the possibility of sending troops to the conflict zone.