Biden, Netanyahu discussed Rafah, Gaza aid, says White House
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The call between US President Joe Biden (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the first between the two leaders since Feb 15.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON – United States President Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on March 18 and discussed the situation in Rafah and efforts to increase aid to Gaza, the White House said.
The call was the first between the two leaders since Feb 15 and comes amid sharp tensions between Israel and its most steadfast ally over Mr Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza that followed Hamas’ deadly Oct 7 attack on Israel.
“President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel to discuss the latest developments in Israel and Gaza, including the situation in Rafah and efforts to surge humanitarian assistance to Gaza,” the White House said.
Separately, Mr Netanyahu said the two men had discussed Israel’s commitment to achieve all the targets it had set out for the war: eliminating Hamas, releasing all the hostages and ensuring Gaza would no longer pose a threat to Israel.
This would be done “while providing the necessary humanitarian aid that helps achieve those goals”, he said in a statement.
In a speech on March 14, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a long-time supporter of Israel and the highest-ranking Jewish elected official, called for new elections in Israel and said Mr Netanyahu was an obstacle to peace.
Mr Biden praised the speech the following day and said Mr Schumer had echoed the concerns of many Americans.
Mr Netanyahu responded harshly on March 17, telling CNN in an interview that Mr Schumer’s speech was “totally inappropriate”.
Mr Netanyahu reaffirmed to a Cabinet meeting on March 17 that Israeli forces would thrust into Rafah, the last relatively safe place in the tiny, crowded Gaza enclave, despite international pressure for Israel to avoid further civilian casualties. REUTERS
