Biden demands Gaza ceasefire in strongest rebuke yet to Israel

US says concrete steps’ must be implemented to avoid civilian harm

- Lorenzo Tondo

Joe Biden has called for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza, telling Benjamin Netanyahu that future US support for Israel will depend on it taking concrete action to protect civilians and aid workers.

As the two leaders held their first phone call since Israeli airstrikes killed seven employees of the international food charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), Biden issued the strongest US rebuke toward Israel since the start of the conflict.

In last night's call, which lasted less than 30 minutes, the US president "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", the White House said in a statement.

"He made clear that US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel's immediate action on these steps." Biden also said that an "immediate ceasefire is essential" and urged Israel to reach a deal with Hamas "without delay", the White House said.

The statement marked a sharp change in Biden's rhetoric and suggested, for what appears to be the first time, that strings could be attached to continued US support.

The call came as WCK called on Australia, Canada, Poland, the US and Britain, whose citizens were killed in the attack, to join an independent investigation of the incident. "This was a military attack that involved multiple strikes and targeted three WCK vehicles," the charity said.

"All three vehicles were carrying civilians and their movements were in full compliance with Israeli authorities, who were aware of their itinerary, route and humanitarian mission. An independent investigation is the only way to determine the truth of what happened."

Biden tells Netanyahu he must reach a deal on ceasefire 'without delay'