President Biden has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

President Biden has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, per WSJ.

President Joe Biden informed Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, April 4, that future US assistance for Gaza would depend on new measures to protect civilians and aid workers. The conversation took place after Israeli airstrikes killed seven food aid workers in Gaza, adding to the strain in the leaders' relationship.

"The need for Israel to announce and implement specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers was emphasized," stated the White House following the call. "US policy toward Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel's immediate action on these steps."

The tougher stance by Biden in the call indicated a growing "frustration" that Israel was not complying with requests to safeguard civilians, according to the White House. "There has been growing frustration," said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby during a press conference, in response to a question about whether the call reflected Biden's frustration with Netanyahu's lack of response to Washington's requests.

Following the call between Biden and Netanyahu, the White House urged Israel to allow a "dramatic" increase in aid to Gaza within "hours or days." "We hope to see a significant increase in humanitarian aid, additional crossings opened, and a reduction in violence against civilians and aid workers in the coming hours and days," Kirby stated.

Kirby also reiterated the US's unwavering support for Israel's self-defense, noting that they face various threats and that the United States will not abandon them.

The call between the leaders occurred as World Central Kitchen, founded by chef José Andrés to provide immediate food relief in disaster areas, called for an independent investigation into the Israeli airstrikes that killed the organization's staff members, including an American citizen.

The White House stated that the US has no plans to conduct its own investigation but called on Israel to do more to prevent the killing and injuring of innocent civilians and aid workers during its operations in Gaza.

Separately, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Brussels that US support would be limited if Israel does not make significant changes to its conduct of the war.