Did not ask Netanyahu for ceasefire: Joe Biden

Washington: The White House said that US President Joe Biden had not asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a ceasefire in Gaza when the duo had a private phone call, Agence France-Presse reported.

The development came a day after the United Nations Security Council passed the resolution demanding “safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale”. Even the US resolution did not call for a ceasefire.

A White House statement said that the US president emphasised the critical need to protect the civilian population as well as those supporting the humanitarian aid operation. The statement also mentioned the importance of moving civilians away from the areas of fighting.

Earlier on Sunday, Biden told the media at the White House that he had had a long talk with Netanyahu, and it was a private conversation. He said that he did not ask for a ceasefire.

According to the White House’s statement, the duo discussed the objectives and phasing of the Israeli military campaign. Also, the inevitability of securing the release of all hostages.

The UN resolution on Friday was reached after days of diplomatic wrangling. The resolution comes after the US veto on a ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution was abstained by Russia and the US.

It was on October 7, a fresh war between Israel and Hamas in Palestine started. Hamas breached the Israeli border, attacked southern Israeli communities, and killed 1,140 people, AFP reports.

Also, Hamas took many hostages and released them phase by phase. But Israel alleges there are still 129 Israeli hostages yet to be released by the Hamas.

Israel’s deadly response to the Hamas attack still goes on and has killed 20,057 people so far.