Biden to Netanyahu: U.S. Policy Depends on Israel's 'Immediate Actions'

U.S. President Joe Biden, in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, April 5, announced that U.S. policy regarding Gaza will be determined by Washington's assessment of Israel's immediate actions to ensure the safety of aid delivery in Gaza. This was the first conversation between Biden and Netanyahu following the killing of seven members of the charity organization 'World Central Kitchen' in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. After this incident, Biden issued an unprecedented statement criticizing Israel, stating that it demonstrates Israel is not doing enough to protect civilians. According to the White House's report on this phone call, the U.S. President told the Israeli Prime Minister that attacks on aid workers and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza are 'unacceptable.' He emphasized that Israel must take 'specific' and 'measurable' actions to address the safety of aid workers. Biden also stressed that an 'immediate ceasefire' is essential to stabilize conditions, improve humanitarian situations, and protect the lives of civilians in Gaza, urging Netanyahu to empower his negotiators to sign an agreement without delay to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. The two leaders also discussed threats from the Islamic Republic against Israel and its people. According to the White House, Biden stated that the United States strongly supports Israel in facing these threats. The Islamic Republic vowed to take revenge on Israel after an attack attributed to Israel on a building it claims was its consulate in Damascus, which resulted in the deaths of seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two senior commanders of the Quds Force. Iranian officials had previously made similar threats following the deaths of other IRGC members in other attacks. Israel: Air Force 'Ready for Defense and Attack.' U.S. Defense Secretary: Israel must take 'specific steps' to protect aid workers and civilians.