Biden tells Netanyahu he expects "a significant de-escalation" in Gaza conflict

Washington — President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a call Wednesday that he "expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire" in the conflict in Gaza, the White House said. Mr. Biden previously expressed support for a ceasefire in the fighting between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has led to the deaths of more than 200 Palestinians, including dozens of children, and at least 12 Israelis.

"President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu today. The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel's progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States," the White House said in a readout of the call. "The President conveyed to the Prime Minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire." Mr. Biden has faced pressure to speak out against the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, as the number of Palestinian civilians killed or wounded far outpaces the number of Israeli victims hurt or killed by Hamas rocket attacks. The president was met with protests in a visit to Dearborn, Michigan, on Tuesday, which has a large Arab-American population. Mr. Biden spoke for several minutes with Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who is Palestinian-American, about the conflict on Tuesday.