Biden calls for "pause" in Israel-Hamas war

Minneapolis — President Biden said he thought there should be a humanitarian "pause" in the Israel-Hamas war, after his campaign speech Wednesday evening was interrupted by a protester calling for a cease-fire. "I think we need a pause," Mr. Biden said.

The call was a subtle departure for Mr. Biden and top White House aides who throughout the Mideast crisis have been steadfast in saying they will not dictate how the Israelis carry out their military operations in response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

But the president has faced intensifying pressure from human rights groups, fellow world leaders and even liberal members of his own Democratic Party who say that the Israeli bombardment of Gaza is collective punishment and that it is time for a cease-fire.