US President Biden’s call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu last Friday emphasized a desire to reduce the Gaza military operation, aiming to conclude the war before the November elections, with the White House concerned about the potential loss of young voters.
Last week, President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call to de-escalate the Israeli military operation in Gaza, emphasizing a reluctance for a prolonged conflict, according to two U.S. officials speaking to Axios.
Biden’s comments in their Friday call reflect growing U.S. concerns about the ongoing war and the president’s desire to conclude it well before the November elections.
The White House is particularly worried about losing young voters who oppose the president’s Gaza war policy, a Biden adviser told Axios. He highlighted concerns about the war dominating the news cycle closer to the elections.
During the 40-minute phone call, Biden repeatedly sought Netanyahu’s plan and strategy for Gaza, expressing a lack of understanding about the “end state” envisioned by the Israeli leader, according to U.S. officials.
Netanyahu explained that the transition to low-intensity fighting occurred in northern Gaza and would happen in the south, but Israel needed more time than initially thought.
Biden also requested the entry of a UN mission into northern Gaza to assess conditions for the potential return of Palestinian civilians. Additionally, he asked for the movement of flour through Israel’s Ashdod port to Gaza and for assistance in streamlining aid delivery from Jordan through the Kerem Shalom border in the southern part of the Strip.
Netanyahu agreed to all three requests, although the timing of their implementation remains unclear.
Katrine Dige Houmøller, with Axios
