Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden spoke on the phone on Sunday and discussed the need to release Israeli hostages, the Iranian attack against Israel, and Biden's position on the IDF's planned military operation in Gaza.
"President Biden spoke earlier today with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The President reaffirmed his ironclad commitment to Israel’s security following the successful defense against Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack earlier this month. They also reviewed ongoing talks to secure the release of hostages together with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza," a White House statement on the conversation between the two read.
"The President referred to his statement with 17 other world leaders demanding that Hamas release their citizens without delay to secure a ceasefire and relief for the people of Gaza. The President and the Prime Minister also discussed increases in the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza including through preparations to open new northern crossings starting this week," it added.
"The President stressed the need for this progress to be sustained and enhanced in full coordination with humanitarian organizations. The leaders discussed Rafah and the President reiterated his clear position."
Meanwhile, IDF Chief of Staff LTG Herzi Halevi approved on Sunday military plans that might be put into action in the planned operation in Rafah. "Food, water, medical supplies, shelter equipment and other aid - more of it is going into Gaza than ever before," IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.
This comes against the backdrop the Jerusalem’s expectation of Hamas’s response to the Egyptian hostage deal proposal, and the increasing international pressure against Israel amid possibilities that the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hauge will issue arrest warrants against Israeli officials.
"Over the last few weeks, the amount of humanitarian aid going into Gaza has significantly increased. In the coming days, the amount of aid going into Gaza will continue to scale up even more," Hagari added in a statement.
Hagari said the aid increase is a result of using Israel's Ashdod port, as well as a new crossing into northern Gaza and increased aid from Jordan entering through the Kerem Shalom border crossing at the southern tip of Gaza.
Israel is also working with U.S. Central Command to construct a "temporary maritime pier," which will allow ship-to-shore distribution, Hagari said.
"Getting aid to the people of Gaza is a top priority —because our war is against Hamas, not against the people of Gaza," he added.
Addressing the possibility of the ICC issuing arrest warrants against Israeli politicians and military, Hagari said, “The Israel Defense Forces operates according to international law. We make vast efforts to minimize harm to the civilians that Hamas is hiding behind — because we see the suffering of civilians as a tragedy, while Hamas sees the suffering of civilians as a strategy."
"That’s why Hamas intentionally hides among civilians; that’s why Hamas wages war from within civilians; and that’s why Hamas has been stealing aid meant for civilians in Gaza," the statement added.