Biden Tells Netanyahu US Gaza Policy to Depend on Israel Minimizing Civilian Harm

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that the US policy on Gaza would depend on Israel’s steps to mitigate civilian harm in the enclave, according to a readout of the call that happened in the wake of the Israeli strike on World Central Kitchen workers.

"President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable. He made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers. He made clear that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps," the readout said.

Israeli military’s strike on aid workers in Gaza was a ‘deliberate attack’ – WCK head

Israeli forces carried out a “deliberate attack” on World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers in Gaza, WCK founder Jose Andres has claimed in a spate of interviews.

The strike on April 1 that… pic.twitter.com/OtG8DOMcDI

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) April 4, 2024

Blinken: Israel Strike on World Central Kitchen Workers Must Mark Last Such Incident

Israel’s strike on World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers in the Gaza Strip must mark its last civilian casualty incident, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday.

"This week’s horrific attack on the World Central Kitchen was not the first such incident; it must be the last," Blinken said during a press conference in Brussels.

On Monday, Israel killed seven WCK aid workers, including a US citizen, in a series of strikes on the humanitarian group’s marked vehicles, despite them having coordinated their movements with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The IDF called the incident a "grave mistake" that occurred as a result of misidentification. The US State Department called the incident unacceptable and said that the IDF must impose measures to ensure such an incident never happens again.

Netanyahu: Israel Able to Defend Itself, Will Respond to Any Security Threats

Israel is able to defend itself and will respond to any attacks on its security, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday when commenting on tensions with Iran.

"Iran has worked against us for years … We will know how to protect ourselves, and we will act on the simple principle that we will harm anyone who harms us or plans to do so," Netanyahu said before the Israeli war cabinet meeting.

How Iran can avoid falling into Netanyahu’s trap as Israel escalates ‘shadow war’

“Israel wants Iran to fire missiles into Israeli towns, causing massive carnage. Then it would feel free to use its US 2,000 pound bunker buster bombs on Iran’s nuclear facilities and cities and… pic.twitter.com/DnTj4Wo2Pj

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) April 4, 2024

On Monday, Israel carried out an airstrike on the consular annex of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, destroying the building. Iran's IRGC said seven of its members have been killed in the attack, including two commanders. The US Central Intelligence Agency has then reportedly warned Israel of possible retaliation from Iran.