Biden and Netanyahu talk for first time since aid workers killed
WASHINGOTN (NEXSTAR) -- President Biden held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday. It's their first call since Israeli forces struck and killed seven World Central Kitchen workers attempting to deliver food into Gaza.
It's no secret tensions between the two leaders have been increasing for weeks, and President Biden appeared to sharpen his tone with Netanyahu.
He is demanding steps be taken immediately to stop human suffering in Gaza.
President Biden told Netanyahu that the Israeli air strike that killed the World Central Kitchen workers was unacceptable.
"The overall humanitarian situation in Gaza is unacceptable,” said White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby.
Kirby says the president demanded that Israel take immediate steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.
"We would hope to see some announcement of changes in coming days…if we don't see changes on their side there will be changes on our side,” said Kirby.
The president pressed Israel for an immediate cease fire.
The White House would not say if it would withhold military aid if Israel does not meet U.S. demands.
"This week's horrific attack on World Central Kitchen was not the first such incident. It must be the last,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
At a NATO meeting in Brussels Blinken said Israel must allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
"The results on the ground are woefully insufficient and unacceptable,” said Blinken.
The World Central Kitchen and other charities have suspended food deliveries to Gaza.
World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres is demanding an independent investigation of the attack.
"I don't think this was an unfortunate mistake...it was really a direct attack on clearly marked vehicles whose movements were known,” said Andres.
Israel is currently investigating the strike. So far Netanyahu has not released a statement about the call with the president.