President Joe Biden had a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing his frustration over the unacceptable humanitarian situation in Gaza. Biden warned Israel to take immediate steps to address the crisis or face consequences. The call came after an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen in Gaza, setting off anger in the White House.
During the call, Netanyahu admitted that the Israeli Defense Forces were responsible for the deaths of the aid workers and promised to implement measures to prevent such mistakes in the future. He assured Biden that Israel would announce new openings of humanitarian crossings and procedural changes to limit harm to civilians. The Israeli security cabinet approved the reopening of the Erez crossing to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that there would be changes in US policy if Israel did not make the necessary adjustments to address civilian harm and humanitarian suffering. The US expected to see announcements of changes in the coming hours and days. Biden made it clear that concrete steps needed to be taken by Israel to improve the situation in Gaza. The call between Biden and Netanyahu was described as direct, with no follow-up call currently planned.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has become a significant political issue for Biden ahead of the upcoming election, with protests and opposition to US support for Israel. Biden is under pressure to take action to address the situation, and his administration hinted at possible policy changes if Israel continues its current practices. Blinken emphasized the importance of Israel not responding to Hamas attacks in a way that disregards human life.
Despite the potential for policy changes, the US has continued to provide weapons to Israel, including fighter jets and bombs. The arms sales were defended as part of longstanding processes and not related to the current situation in Gaza. Some lawmakers, including Democratic Senator Chris Coons, are open to conditioning aid to Israel based on its actions. Biden has called for a temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
While Biden has pushed for an immediate ceasefire to stabilize the humanitarian situation, he has not yet called for a permanent ceasefire. His approach differs from that of other world leaders who are advocating for a lasting solution to the conflict. The situation in Gaza continues to evolve, with developments being closely monitored by the international community.
