President Biden pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to work toward a cease-fire deal that would allow for the release of hostages in Gaza, but Biden also has suggested that U.S. policy on the war will depend on Israel’s ability to better protect civilians and humanitarian workers.
The two shared a call on Thursday — just days after an Israeli air strike killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers, who were distributing food to Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
The president, who called WCK founder and celebrity chef José Andrés after the deaths were reported, told Netanyahu the incident was “unacceptable,” according to a White House readout.
Vice President Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan were also on the Thursday call, White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters. But the 30-minute conversation was strictly between Biden and Netanyahu.
“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,” the White House said, according to the call’s readout. “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.”
Senate Democrats have been pressuring Biden to do more about the humanitarian issues in Gaza as thousands of people have died, hospitals have been bombed and food has become scarce.
The White House has maintained steadfast support for Israel since Palestinian militant Hamas attacked Israel in October, killing almost 1,200 people. Following the attack on the WCK workers earlier this week, the White House sought to tamper down any speculation that the killings would change U.S. policy toward Israel.
But Biden’s shift is “significant and marks a notable change,” The Hill’s Brett Samuels writes.
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