In a significant dialogue on Thursday, US President Joe Biden conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that America's backing of Israel's actions in Gaza would hinge on Israel's commitment to implementing a set of tangible measures aimed at addressing civilian casualties, humanitarian distress, and ensuring the safety of aid personnel.
Amid escalating global outcry following the tragic killing of six aid workers affiliated with Spanish-American chef and humanitarian Jose Andres's World Central Kitchen, President Biden stressed the imperative of an "immediate ceasefire" to alleviate the dire humanitarian circumstances prevailing in the region.
During their phone conversation, both leaders discussed the unacceptable targeting of humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian crisis, with the White House emphasizing President Biden's insistence on Israel taking decisive steps to mitigate civilian harm and ensure the safety of aid workers.
President Biden underscored that the trajectory of US policy concerning Gaza would be contingent upon Israel's prompt action on these outlined measures. Additionally, he reiterated the critical necessity of an immediate ceasefire to stabilize the situation and safeguard innocent civilians. Urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to empower negotiators to swiftly reach an agreement to secure the release of hostages, President Biden emphasized the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis.
The relationship between the US and Israel, historically steadfast allies, has faced strain amid perceptions of Israel's disregard for US concerns in its conduct of the conflict.
Facing mounting domestic pressure to leverage US influence to temper Israeli actions, particularly in an election year where maintaining support, especially in key states like Michigan, is paramount, President Biden emphasized the need for substantive changes in Israel's approach to the conflict during the tense exchange.
When questioned about the specific alterations demanded by the US, John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, emphasized the necessity for tangible changes on the Israeli side and hinted at potential repercussions if such changes were not forthcoming, without providing explicit details.
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