US President Joe Biden Urges Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Take Measurable Actions to Mitigate Civilian Casualties and Ensure the Safety of Aid Workers
In a phone conversation on Thursday, US President Joe Biden expressed strong disapproval of the strikes targeting humanitarian workers and the humanitarian conditions in Gaza, deeming them as “unacceptable.” Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take decisive and measurable actions to mitigate civilian casualties and ensure the safety of aid workers.
According to a readout of Biden’s call with Netanyahu, the US President made it clear that the US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by their assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps. Biden also emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians. He urged Netanyahu to empower his negotiators to quickly reach a settlement to bring the hostages home.
The two leaders also discussed public Iranian threats against Israel and the Israeli people. Biden made it clear that the United States strongly supports Israel in the face of those threats.
According to Israeli estimates, 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7. In Gaza, the health ministry, which is run by Hamas, has said that over 33,000 Palestinians have passed away, most of whom were women and children. Israel has been accusing Hamas of utilizing civilians as human shields.
Israel has taken responsibility for the attack, and the deaths of the World Central Kitchen aid workers, and has called it a “grave mistake.” This attack on aid workers by Israel has sparked outrage from world leaders. Netanyahu said that Israeli forces had “unintentionally struck innocent people in the Gaza Strip.” World Central Kitchen said it had coordinated the convoy’s movements with the Israeli military
