US President Joe Biden will speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, according to a US official.
This would mark the two leaders’ first conversation since Israel killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in a strike in Gaza.
In the aftermath of those deaths, a senior administration official said Biden is “angry” and “increasingly frustrated.” The president is fully prepared to make his point of view known to Netanyahu in their conversation, the official added.
“He will express those frustrations,” the official said.
White House officials have emphasized that the US’ stance in supporting Israel’s current military operation remains unchanged.
There has been no “shift in policy,” the official said, but rather a shift in “the president’s frustrations.”
And while the aid worker deaths will serve as the urgent backdrop, Biden is also expected to discuss other issues, including ramping up humanitarian aid to Gaza, the ongoing hostages and ceasefire deal talks, as well as the US’ concerns about a potential ground incursion into Rafah.
The post has been updated with more details from a senior administration official.
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