The almost-daily phone calls stopped months ago, but the tension between Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s war on Hamas has burst into the open as the two leaders bicker publicly. The rift stems mainly from the scope and civilian toll of Israel’s response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The White House wants Netanyahu to do more to limit Palestinian deaths and allow in more humanitarian aid; it says that he’s failing to meet those goals.
Last week, the US announced its army would build a pier to bring aid to civilians in Gaza. Still, critics say the move is an expensive, inefficient workaround that doesn’t address the more significant issue. The United Nations estimates that more than 1.9 million people in Gaza need help. The food supply is running low, relief groups warn of famine, and hospitals are overwhelmed with sick and injured. The UN warned that the current violence is creating “an indelible stain on our collective conscience.”
Biden told Netanyahu in a phone call that he believes “a major operation into Rafah should not proceed without a credible plan to protect and support civilians,” according to a statement from the White House. The statement also said that the US would urge Israel to “end its hostilities as soon as possible.”
In an interview with MSNBC on Saturday, Biden accused Netanyahu of not doing enough to meet his own imposed red line – ensuring that Gaza doesn’t become like what happened in Syria. “To the extent that the Palestinians believe there’s daylight between us, that doesn’t help,” he said.
The White House says it is engaged “around the clock with multiple partners in the region,” including Egypt and Qatar, to try to reach a deal on a temporary ceasefire. However, the US has not ruled out a military option in the future. The administration also has not ruled out a vote on a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to end its assault in Gaza.