‘Did not ask for ceasefire’ in Gaza: Biden after phone call with Netanyahu
Al Jazeera
White House says the two leaders discussed Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, including its ‘objectives and phasing’.
United States President Joe Biden says he did not ask Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in a telephone call between the two leaders.
“I had a long talk with Netanyahu today [Saturday] and it was a private conversation,” Biden told reporters on Saturday.
“I did not ask for a ceasefire,” he said, in response to a shouted question.
In a statement later, the White House said Biden and Netanyahu discussed Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, including its “objectives and phasing”.
Biden “emphasised the critical need to protect the civilian population including those supporting the humanitarian aid operation, and the importance of allowing civilians to move safely away from areas of ongoing fighting,” said the statement.
