The Biden Administration wanted to shift America’s foreign policy focus to China and Russia, but the deadly surge in violence the past few days between Israel and Palestinian militants has made it clear the Middle East remains a delicate problem for the U.S.

Late Wednesday, President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following several days of deadly violence. Biden says that “Israel has a right to defend itself” referring to a barrage of rockets fired by Hamas at Tel Aviv.

Biden added that “My expectation and hope is that this will be closing down sooner than later.”

According to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, U.S. officials have been hard at work trying to “de-escalate” the situation. She emphasized that much of the efforts have been behind the scenes and focused on other parties in the region that could influence the course of the conflict. “We’ve had more than 25 high-level calls and meetings by senior U.S. officials with senior officials from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and our partners and other stakeholders,” she said.

Israel and Hamas continue to trade rocket fire through early Wednesday, leading to the deaths of 56 Palestinians and six Israelis. According to this report from NBC News, it’s the worst outbreak of violence in the region in years. It’s been building for weeks  due to reports that Israeli settlers are trying to evict Arab Israelis from Jerusalem homes they have lived in for decades.

The Israeli military has killed several Hamas commanders during this escalation in fighting, and one official said “worst-case scenarios” are being discussed, suggesting a potential ground invasion of Gaza. The response from militants has been to launch more than a thousand rockets at Israel.

Mounting criticism from Republicans as well as from progressive Democrats may have forced President Biden to take a public stance. Those on the right want Biden to offer unrestrained support of Israel, a key U.S. ally. But the progressive wing of the Democratic Party that is critical of Israel wants Biden’s campaign pledge of prioritizing global human rights to be extended to Palestinians. Further complicating matters is the fact that Biden has yet to name an ambassador to Israel.

Psaki said Wednesday a nominee will be announced soon.

The UN mideast envoy warns that all-out war in the region is a possibility if the situation doesn’t calm down soon.

Adding to the urgency of the situation, Netanyahu on Wednesday said Israel will continue to defend itself and warned it will use as much military force as necessary to do so.

“We will continue the effort to stop the anarchy…with an iron fist if necessary, with all necessary force and with all necessary authority.”