U.S. President Joe Biden did not reach an agreement during his call Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the need for a humanitarian pause in the Israel-Hamas war. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. would “continue to advocate for temporary, localized pauses in the fighting.”
Quick Read
- U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not agree on a “humanitarian pause” in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
- The Palestinian death toll has risen above 10,000, with a significant number of women and children among the casualties.
- National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized the U.S. view of Hamas as the aggressor due to their incursion on October 7, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties and initiated the war.
- Despite the lack of agreement on a pause, the U.S. continues to have candid discussions with Israel about reducing civilian casualties.
- Biden and Netanyahu discussed the idea of tactical pauses for humanitarian reasons and the possibility of hostage releases.
- The U.S. is advocating for short, localized breaks in combat to facilitate humanitarian efforts, such as the exit of Americans from Gaza and the entry of more aid.
- Kirby acknowledged the need to increase the volume of aid entering Gaza and the number of people able to leave the area.
- Fewer than 30 aid trucks have entered Gaza in the recent period, indicating challenges in meeting the humanitarian needs.
- The White House continues to oppose a general ceasefire but supports shorter pauses to achieve specific humanitarian objectives.
The Associated Press has the story:
No agreement after Biden asks Netanyahu for humanitarian pause in Gaza
Newslooks- WASHINGTON
U.S. President Joe Biden did not reach an agreement during his call Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the need for a humanitarian pause in the Israel-Hamas war. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. would “continue to advocate for temporary, localized pauses in the fighting.”
The Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 10,000, including more than 4,100 children and 2,640 women, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza.
Asked whether the toll gave the U.S. pause for its staunch support for Israel, Kirby said, “I think we all need to remember who they’re fighting,” and referenced Hamas’ Oct. 7 incursion into Israel that killed 1,400 people and started the war.
He insisted “no country” would tolerate such an attack “without a swift and aggressive response,” but said the U.S. having “frank” conversations with Israelis about trying to reduce the civilian death toll.
Biden and Netanyahu discussed the potential for “tactical pauses” in fighting in Gaza for humanitarian reasons and possible hostage releases in talks on Monday, according to a spokesperson.
Kirby said the U.S. and Israeli governments would continue to be in touch on such potential temporary pauses and that Biden and Netanyahu agreed to continue talks in the coming days.
“You can expect that we’re going to continue to advocate for temporary and localized pauses in the fighting,” Kirby told reporters. “We consider ourselves at the beginning of this conversation, not at the end of it.”
Those conversations came as more Americans are expected to exit Gaza on Monday and as more aid enters the territory, Kirby said. Biden and Netanyahu also discussed the situation in the West Bank.
“We know – gotta get more trucks in. It’s still just a trickle,” Kirby said. “Gotta get more people out. Still just a trickle.”
The White House said that fewer than 30 aid trucks entered Gaza in the last 24 hours.
The White House, which maintains that a general ceasefire would not be an appropriate step, has been pushing for shorter pauses in strikes to accomplish specific humanitarian goals.
