Biden warned Netanyahu

International Desk: There was a phone conversation between the President of the United States Joe Biden and the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. Biden warned Netanyahu to protect Palestinian civilians and foreign aid workers in Gaza. Otherwise, Washington could rein in its support for Israel's war against Hamas. The strong message from the US came amid global outrage after seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers were killed in an Israeli attack. The attack on the aid workers comes months after the US called on Israel to change its military strategy. More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli attacks. The White House did not say exactly what steps it asked Netanyahu to take, or what it would do if he failed to do so. But analysts say the underlying threat was to slow US arms transfers to Israel or moderate US support at the United Nations.

In the Biden-Netanyahu phone call, the White House said, Biden asked Israel to announce and implement concrete, practical and modest steps to reduce civilian casualties, alleviate humanitarian suffering and ensure the safety of aid workers. In a statement, the White House said, Biden has made it clear that US policy depends on how much action Israel takes in these areas. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, however, was more specific. He said, "Look, I'll just say this: If we don't see change, we're going to change our policy." Hours after the phone call, the Israeli government announced an increase in aid supplies to Gaza on Thursday evening. The country's government also announced the opening of the Ashdod port and Erez crossing in northern Gaza to increase aid supplies from Jordan. It is not yet clear whether this move is enough to meet US demands.