US president Joe Biden today called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and vowed to reconsider US policy on Gaza unless Israel limits civilian casualties in the Palestinian enclave.
The tough statement, delivered during a phone conversation with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, follows increasing disagreements between Washington and Tel Aviv on the direction of the Gaza conflict and the possibility of a regional escalation that would involve Iran. The US disclaimed responsibility for a suspected Israeli attack on an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria on 1 April and strongly condemned the shelling of a World Central Kitchen food convoy by Israel's military on 2 April, which killed US, UK and other humanitarian workers.
Biden "made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers," or face a change in US policy of supporting Israeli operations in Gaza, the White House said.
Biden demanded that Netanyahu empower his negotiators to conclude a ceasefire deal without delay — effectively blaming Israel for blocking efforts to enable a ceasefire with Hamas militants.
Ice Brent crude futures rose immediately after the Damascus attack on 1 April on fears of a possible regional escalation. The US warned Iran not to retaliate against the US military personnel in the region.
But Netanyahu in a cabinet meeting today said that Israel will continue to "act against Iran and its proxies, defensively and offensively."
