PResident Biden told Israel on Thursday it must make immediate changes to protect civilian lives in the Gaza Strip or cut U.S. aid.
In a tense 30-minute phone conversation, Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel must take immediate action to protect civilian lives and allow food aid to Gaza. If not, Biden said he would change his administration's support for military operations against Hamas. Biden said Israel's attacks on humanitarian workers and the overall situation facing civilians in the Gaza Strip are “unacceptable.”
Biden's phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu marked a major shift in his approach to Israel following Monday's Israeli military attack that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers and sparked concerns around the world. attracted criticism.
Specifically, the Biden administration will open more borders for Israeli aid entering Gaza, allowing more food-laden trucks to enter, especially from Jordan, and allowing the Israeli military to bring in aid workers. The people said they expected appropriate measures to be taken to ensure the safe movement of people. Security Council Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters. Kirby said Biden is demanding concrete steps from Israel to alleviate human suffering in Gaza “in the coming hours and days.”
“If we don't see change on their side, we're going to need change on our side,” Kirby said.
Israel has killed tens of thousands of civilians in an operation to destroy a network of underground tunnels in Gaza used as Hamas leadership and ammunition depots. Biden and senior U.S. officials have been concerned for months about Israel's indiscriminate bombing of Gaza and Israel's refusal to allow enough food into Gaza, leaving more than 1 million people at risk of starvation. He has told Israeli leaders that he is doing so. Asked if Biden was frustrated that those messages weren't getting through, Kirby said: “Yes, there is growing frustration.”
Biden's political opponent, Donald Trump, expressed similar outrage in an interview on The Hugh Hewitt Show that aired Thursday, saying Israel was “losing the PR war” in its efforts to dismantle Hamas. “We've got to end this, we've got to get back to normal, and I don't know if I love the way they're doing it, because you have to,” Trump said. ” he said. Have a victory. We have to win, but it will take a long time. ”
read more: Inside the information war between Israel and Hamas
Biden has not reduced his administration's military aid to Israel in the six months since Hamas terrorists attacked farms and villages and killed families in their homes on October 7. Following the attack, Biden told Israel: “You are not alone.” We will stand with you. ”
In the two months since the October 7 attacks, Biden has approved two emergency transfers of $254 million worth of military aid to Israel. According to CNN, on Monday, hours before the World Central Kitchen employee was killed, the United States approved the shipment of about 2,000 bombs to an Israeli arsenal.
Kirby said the shipments are part of a long-standing foreign military sales contract and are not connected to Israel's war in Gaza. He said the sale had been years in the making and council had been notified “months, if not years, in advance.”
Kirby hinted that some of these arms sales may continue regardless of Israel's actions in Gaza. “Israel still faces many threats,” he said. “We all have our eyes on Hamas, and we understand that, but Hamas remains an active threat across the region, including from Iran. The United States remains determined to support Israel's self-defense. have.”
Biden also told Netanyahu in a phone call Thursday that an “immediate ceasefire” is needed to protect civilians and improve the humanitarian situation. The US president also called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to “authorize negotiators to reach an agreement without delay to bring the hostages home.”
Tensions between the US and Israel are rising as Iran threatens to retaliate against Israel for killing a top Iranian general in Syria. Mr. Biden and Mr. Netanyahu disagree about how Israel is waging its war in Gaza, but a White House account of the call said Mr. “We will strongly support Israel in the face of the situation,” he said.
