‘De-escalate today’ Biden in call with Netanyahu

U.S. President Joe Biden prodded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to immediately lower tensions in the Gaza conflict “on the path” to a ceasefire, the White House said.

The fourth call in a week between the two leaders came after Netanyahu was quoted by Israeli media as saying he is not setting a time frame for an end to more than a week of hostilities.

Biden has faced increasing pressure even from fellow Democrats to take a more active and public role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel, the country’s closest ally in the Middle East, and the militant group Hamas.  

“The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel’s progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in a brief statement aboard Air Force One.

“The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire,” Jean-Pierre added.

The call took place shortly before Biden left Washington on a trip to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s commencement ceremony in Connecticut.

n the early days of the conflict, Biden effectively gave Israeli forces more time to press their offensive against Palestinian militants in Gaza by citing Israel’s right to defend itself. In response to Biden’s de-escalation call, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said those who sought to restore calm must “compel Israel to end its aggression in Jerusalem and its bombardment of Gaza.”
US, (Reuters), 19 May 2021