Biden warns Netanyahu over Gaza violence, calls for cease-fire
President says two leaders 'had a very good and productive conversation' but avoids endorsing Netanyahu's call for ground invasion
Biden also spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who urged international intervention to stop the violence
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the escalating violence in Gaza on Monday, calling for a cease-fire and saying the situation could deteriorate into a "significant and meaningful way."
In a phone call that lasted more than an hour, Biden "reiterated his firm support for Israel's right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza," according to a readout of the call released by the White House. However, he also urged Netanyahu to "do everything possible to ensure the protection of civilians."
The call came as the death toll from the violence in Gaza rose to more than 200, including dozens of children. The Israeli military has launched hundreds of airstrikes on targets in Gaza, while Hamas has fired thousands of rockets into Israel.
In a statement after the call, Netanyahu said he had "expressed appreciation" for Biden's support for Israel's right to self-defense. He also said he had "updated" Biden on the situation in Gaza and "discussed the need to restore calm and security to Israel."
However, there was no immediate indication that Biden had endorsed Netanyahu's call for a ground invasion of Gaza. In fact, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said later that Biden had "not made a decision yet" on whether to support such an operation.
In a separate call, Biden also spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. According to the White House, Abbas "urged international intervention to stop the violence." He also said he was "committed to working with Egypt and other partners to restore calm.".
The Biden administration has been criticized by some for not doing enough to stop the violence in Gaza. However, Psaki defended the administration's approach, saying that Biden is "engaged in quiet and intensive diplomacy to end the conflict."
"We believe that a diplomatic path is the best way to achieve a lasting cease-fire," she said. "We will continue to work with all parties to achieve that goal."
The violence in Gaza is the worst since 2014, when a 50-day war between Israel and Hamas killed more than 2,000 people. The current conflict erupted last week after Israeli police clashed with Palestinian protesters at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
The Biden administration has been facing increasing pressure to take action to stop the violence. On Sunday, a group of Democratic senators led by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to Biden urging him to "use all diplomatic tools available" to end the conflict.
The administration has also been criticized by some for not doing enough to condemn Hamas's rocket attacks on Israel. However, Psaki said that the administration "condemns Hamas's rocket attacks on Israel in the strongest terms."
"These attacks are unacceptable and must stop," she said.
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