Biden says Israel is meeting his demands on Gaza: Joe says ‘I asked them to do what they’re doing’ after throwing down the gauntlet in phone call with Netanyahu

President Joe Biden on Friday dismissed questions about whether he had threatened to reduce military shipments to Israel after six foreign aid workers and their Palestinian driver were killed in an airstrike in Gaza. “I asked them to do what they are doing,” is all he said after Israel agreed to reopen the main land crossing into northern Gaza following a phone call Thursday to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Biden demanded urgent measures to address the humanitarian crisis and better protect aid workers. Israel subsequently announced it would reopen the main land crossing into northern Gaza. The catastrophe in the Palestinian enclave, where 33,000 people have died, took on a new dimension this week when three vehicles used by World Central Kitchen were hit by missiles. President Joe Biden on Friday dismissed questions about whether he had threatened to draw down Israel’s military after seven foreign aid workers were killed in an airstrike in Gaza. An American citizen was among those killed when vehicles used by World Central Kitchen were attacked in Gaza. The result has been increased concern in Washington about the crisis unfolding in the Palestinian enclave, where more than 33,000 people have been killed. The charity was founded by chef José Andrés, a familiar face in Washington power circles, bringing a distant conflict to the doorstep. from the White House. Among the dead was Jacob Flickinger, 33, a U.S. citizen. The result was increased rhetoric from Biden, who almost alone among world leaders had stood firmly behind Netanyahu’s deadly attack on Gaza even as a humanitarian crisis unfolded. . On Thursday she had a 30-minute phone call with his old friend to demand measures to better protect aid workers and civilians. “He made it clear that American policy toward Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps,” a readout of the White House conversation said. “He stressed that an immediate ceasefire is essential to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians, and urged the Prime Minister to empower his negotiators to conclude without delay an agreement to bring the hostages home.” . Netanyahu’s office did not offer his support. version of the call. But in comments the same day, the prime minister appeared defiant. He spoke during a meeting with visiting Republican lawmakers to convey a triple message: “The first is that we are going to win.” Absolutely. Victory is within our reach. “It is very close and there is no substitute for victory,” he said, according to a report of the meeting provided by his office. Israel said on Thursday it would reopen the Erez crossing into Gaza for aid deliveries. Jacob Flickinger (right), a 33-year-old American-Canadian citizen, was among the seven killed in the IDF drone strike. President Joe Biden spoke with Netanyahu on Thursday to demand changes to the way Israel was waging its war in Gaza. A readout of the call suggested that American policy could be altered. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with visiting Republican lawmakers in Jerusalem on Thursday. “Give us the tools faster and we’ll finish the job faster,” he told them. Smoke rises over buildings after an Israeli attack in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, April 4, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant. Hamas group. The second is that it can be done faster. ‘I’m going to paraphrase someone you’ve all heard of, Winston Churchill. He said, “Give us the tools and we will do the work.” “Give us the tools faster and we will finish the job faster.” The conflict began when Hamas gunmen launched a terrorist attack against Israel, killing 1,200 people. The group is believed to still have about 130 hostages. CIA Director Bill Burns will lead a delegation to Cairo this weekend for talks aimed at achieving a ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages. U.S. officials also see a ceasefire as crucial to allowing more aid in and averting famine warnings. “Let’s get a deal so we can have a ceasefire for a few weeks, so it’s easier to meet those commitments. “Humanitarian assistance is increasing,” White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Friday.