New Delhi: The US State Department has discouraged diplomats working on Middle East issues from making public statements suggesting the US wants to see less violence, according to internal emails viewed by HuffPost.Internal emails reveal that high-level officials want to avoid the use of certain phrases in press materials, including “de-escalation/ceasefire,” “end to violence/bloodshed,” and “restoring calm”, said the report.This signals the Biden administration’s reluctance to push for Israeli restraint as they expand their offensive following an attack by Hamas on Israeli communities.These emails were sent shortly after Israel ordered over 1.1 million residents of northern Gaza to leave their homes ahead of an expected ground invasion, causing concerns about devastating humanitarian consequences.When asked about Israel’s evacuation order, the US National Security Council spokesperson did not endorse or reject it, emphasising the importance of moving civilians out of harm’s way.Asked about Israel’s evacuation order on Friday, US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby declined to reject or endorse it, calling it “a tall order.”“We’re going to be careful not to get into armchair quarterbacking the tactics on the ground by the [Israel Defense Forces],” Kirby said. “What I can tell you is we understand what they’re trying to do. They’re trying to move civilians out of harm’s way and giving them fair warning.”When reached for comment on the directive, a State Department official told HuffPost they would not comment on internal communications.US officials have said they expect Israel will abide by the laws of war in its campaign against Hamas. However, they have refrained from discussing a ceasefire, despite calls from humanitarian organisations and some analysts who argue that a ceasefire is necessary to facilitate the safe evacuation of civilians from Gaza and the delivery of essential supplies.Israel has also cut off electricity, food, water and fuel supplies to the region that has added urgency to the need for a ceasefire to address the humanitarian crisis.According to the Gazan Health Ministry, Israel’s operation in Gaza has killed nearly 1,800 people so far. This includes the death of 583 children and 351 women.Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel to express strong solidarity but also urged restraint to protect Palestinian civilians as the Israeli bombarding of Gaza continued, Al Jazeera reported.“So prime minister, I understand on a personal level, the harrowing echoes that Hamas’ massacres carry for Israeli Jews, as well as Jews everywhere,” Blinken said, before calling for the protection of Gaza’s civilian population.Later, Blinken met with Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority in Amman, Jordan.During their meeting, Blinken reiterated the US’s “unequivocal condemnation of the abhorrent terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel” and “detailed US efforts to coordinate with partners to prevent the conflict from widening,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a readout.