US President Joe Biden on Sunday spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the developments in Gaza, the eighth such conversation between the two since the war in Gaza began.
“The President reiterated that Israel has every right and responsibility to defend its citizens from terrorism and underscored the need to do so in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law that prioritizes the protection of civilians,” the White House said in a statement following the call.
“The President and Prime Minister discussed ongoing efforts to locate and secure the release of hostages, to include American citizens who remain unaccounted for and may be held by Hamas,” it added. “The President underscored the need to immediately and significantly increase the flow of humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of civilians in Gaza.”
The statement concluded by saying that Biden and Netanyahu “agreed to remain in regular consultation both directly and through their respective national security teams.”
Biden spoke to Netanyahu last Monday, hours after the release of Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz by Hamas.
In that conversation, the President “reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing efforts to secure the release of all the remaining hostages taken by Hamas - including Americans - and to provide for safe passage for US citizens and other civilians in Gaza,” the White House said in a statement.
The two leaders spoke again on Wednesday, and Biden “discussed ongoing US support for the continuous flow of humanitarian support to the civilian population in Gaza and welcomed efforts to increase this support over the coming period,” said the White House.