In a recent half-hour call between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to a senior administration official, Biden emphasized the need for concrete changes to be made in Israel's handling of the situation.
While specifics were not laid out during the call, Biden made it clear that US policy towards Gaza would be determined by Israel's immediate actions. The conversation was described as direct, with moments of disagreement but no sparring between the two leaders.
Netanyahu reportedly pledged to announce new openings of humanitarian crossings and procedural changes to limit civilian harm in Gaza. Following the call, the Israeli security cabinet approved the reopening of the Erez crossing between Israel and the northern Gaza Strip.
Although no specific threats or consequences were outlined during the call, the senior US official stated that Netanyahu understood the importance of the situation. There is currently no follow-up call planned between the two leaders.
The conversation highlights the ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for immediate action to improve the situation for civilians in the region.
