President Joe Biden’s much-awaited call with Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday saw the U.S. leader firmly demand that Israel change its approach in Gaza and do more to safeguard civilians, as per a statement about the call from the White House.
This is the first time the leaders have spoken since seven international aid workers with the World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli air strike while delivering food to Palestinians in Gaza. WCK founder Chef José Andrés stated that the aid workers were intentionally targeted by the Israeli Defense Forces. Israel denies this.
“President Biden spoke by telephone with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The two leaders discussed the situation in Gaza,” began the readout, adding:
President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable. He made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers. He made clear that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps. He underscored that an immediate ceasefire is essential to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians, and he urged the Prime Minister to empower his negotiators to conclude a deal without delay to bring the hostages home. The two leaders also discussed public Iranian threats against Israel and the Israeli people. President Biden made clear that the United States strongly supports Israel in the face of those threats.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke following the call and told reporters that the U.S. is calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to help facilitate more aid getting in.
Hamas reports that close to 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war so far. They did not say how many were civilians.
Watch the clip above via Fox News.
