Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
WASHINGTON DC, 6th April. US President Joe Biden on Friday called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation, according to the White House officials.
Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that America’s support of Israel’s war in Gaza would be determined by the latter announcing and implementing a “series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers”.
They spoke on the phone after growing outcry over the killing of 7 aid workers of World Central Kitchen.
“President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” said the White House in a read out of the phone call.
“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,” it added.
Biden warmed Netanyahu that the US 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 relations between the US and Israel, strong allies in the best and worst of times, have plunged as Israel under Netanyahu is seen to be conducting the war in complete disregard to US’ concerns.
Biden is facing mounting pressure at home to use US clout to rein in Israel and in an election year the President can barely afford to lose support, especially in key swing states such as Michigan.
The phone call between Biden and Netanyahu lasted for 30-minute, the read out stated.
Biden pressed Israel to change its conduct of the war in Gaza.
John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesperson, told reporters, “What we want to see are some real changes on the Israeli side and, you know, if we don’t see changes from their side there will have to be changes from our side.” But he did not specify them.
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