President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when they spoke on Thursday that “an immediate ceasefire” is needed to “protect innocent civilians” in Gaza and improve the humanitarian situation, the White House said.
Why it matters: Biden is making his strongest push for an end to the fighting in Gaza in six months of war, and warning for the first time that U.S. policy on the war will depend on Israel’s adherence to his demands.
Driving the news: The call came three days after an Israeli strike killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, and with Biden under growing pressure from members of his own party to push for a ceasefire and ensure Israel does more to allow aid into Gaza.
- Biden “emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” per the readout.
- Biden also told Netanyahu that Israel must “announce and implement” a series of “concrete and measurable steps” to protect aid workers and address humanitarian suffering.
