US President Biden discusses war objectives and phases with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

Middle East, News, US December 25, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

President of the United States Joe Biden held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 23, 2023. The two leaders discussed Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, including its ‘objectives and phasing’ during their call.

According to a statement released by the White House, Biden emphasized 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.

“The leaders discussed the importance of securing the release of all remaining hostages. They agreed to remain in regular consultation both directly and through their respective national security teams,” the statement added.

“Did not ask for a ceasefire”: Biden

While speaking to the media following his phone call with the Israeli Prime Minister, Biden said that he did not ask Israeli leadership for a ceasefire in the war. “I had a long talk with Netanyahu today and it was a private conversation,” Biden told reporters. “I did not ask for a ceasefire,” he said, in response to a question.

Biden declined to discuss most details of the call; however, reporters suggest that the call between the two leaders lasted for more than 45 minutes.

The conversation between the two leaders took place one day after the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), urging increased humanitarian assistance for Gaza. However, the resolution stopped short of explicitly calling for a ceasefire or a temporary halt to the ongoing conflict that had been going on for weeks.

Israeli bombing on Gaza — ^{A flare falls over Gaza, after a temporary truce between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas expired, as seen from southern Israel on December 3, 2023. (Image Credit: Reuters/Alexander Ermochenko)}

The resolution specifically called for the prompt, secure, and unimpeded delivery of life-saving aid to Gaza on a significant scale. It was approved after prolonged debates among UNSC members regarding its language, with certain provisions being modified under the influence of Washington’s preferences.

A statement released by Netanyahu’s office said the Prime Minister “clarified that Israel will continue the war until all of its goals are achieved,” which include toppling the Hamas terror group and bringing home the hostages being held by Palestinian terrorists in the Strip.

It noted that Netanyahu “voiced his appreciation for the US’s position in the Security Council,” after Washington held drawn-out negotiations to keep language demanding a ceasefire out of the resolution.

The pressure has been mounting on Tel Aviv to quickly pare back its military campaign and shift away from high-intensity warfare after nearly three months of a punishing air and ground campaign, amid growing international outcry over the reported death toll in Gaza and a massive humanitarian crisis.

Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said bringing the Israel-Hamas war to an end “as quickly as possible” is a top priority for the Biden administration in the year ahead.