White House spokesperson John Kirby was questioned by reporters during a Wednesday briefing about whether President Joe Biden is considering withholding aid to Israel.
Biden had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on on Wednesday.During the call, Biden expressed to the Israeli leader that attacks on humanitarian workers are not acceptable. He also urged Netanyahu to minimize civilian casualties.
Additionally, the president stated that U.S. policy toward Gaza will be influenced by Israel’s actions, and called for an immediate ceasefire while also urging Netanyahu to work on the release of hostages.
During the briefing, ABC News correspondent Mary Bruce asked Kirby if Biden was 'threatening to withhold aid to Israel' if they make changes. Kirby mentioned that the U.S. hopes to see these changes made by Israel in the 'coming hours and days.'
BRUCE: The president seems to have said to the prime minister today, make these concrete changes or else. It’s the or else that I want to make clear here. Is the president threatening to withhold aid to Israel if they do not make these changes?
KIRBY: The president made it clear that our policies with respect to Gaza, will be dependent upon our assessment of how well the Israelis, make changes and implement changes, to make the situation in Gaza better for the Palestinian people.
BRUCE: And how much time are you giving them to make these changes to implement these concrete steps?
KIRBY: We we would hope to see some announcements of changes here in coming hours and days. And I’ll leave it at that.
Watch the clip above via CNN.
