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☆ Analysis: Can Netanyahu avoid triggering a regional war?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Nic Robertson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In a paradigm shift after decades of shadow proxy war, Tehran is usurping Israel’s strategy. “We have decided to create a new equation,” Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami said. When faced with existential threats in the past, Israel has executed the most audacious raids the region has ever witnessed. The damage that can be inflicted on Iran is huge, is huge.”So the most important question right now must be, can Netanyahu read the room right – with Iran threatening to attack, allies warning him not to – and avoid triggering a regional war. Iran, he implied, won’t attack Israel as long as it fears America’s reaction.

Persons: CNN —, Joe Biden’s, Ebrahim Raisi’s, ” Israel, Hossein, “, Bashar al, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Benny Ganz –, David Barnea, Staff Herzi Halevi, Netanyahu, Bezalel Smotrich, of National Security Itamar Ben, Gvir, Ganz, Gallant, – Ganz, ” Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu’s, Saleh Al, Amos Yadlin, Yadlin, ” Yadlin, Bashar, Iran’s, Mohammad Reza Zahedi, Biden Organizations: CNN, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, –, Staff, of National Security, IDF’s Military Intelligence, UN Security Locations: CNN — Israel, Israel, Iran, Tehran, Osirak, Syria, Tel Aviv, Gaza, Lebanese, Beirut, Lebanon, Damascus, America

☆ For Israel’s Allies, Iranian Missile Strike Scrambles Debate Over Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Mark Landler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain was facing a chorus of calls to cut off arms shipments to Israel because of its devastating war in Gaza. On Monday, Mr. Sunak saluted the British warplanes that had shot down several Iranian drones as part of a successful campaign to thwart Iran’s attack on Israel. Faced with a barrage of Iranian missiles, Britain, the United States, France and others rushed to Israel’s aid. They set aside their anger over Gaza to defend it from a country they view as an archnemesis, even as they pleaded for restraint in Israel’s response to the Iranian assault. But it could prove to be a fleeting change, they said, if Mr. Netanyahu orders a counterstrike damaging enough to pitch the region into wider war.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Mr, Biden, Iran’s Locations: Israel, Gaza, Iran, Britain, United States, France, Damascus

Israel’s war cabinet on Monday met to weigh possible responses to Iran’s missile and drone attack over the weekend, as the United States, Britain and other allies strongly urged Israel to show restraint and sought to de-escalate tensions between the two regional powers. Some far-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government called for a swift and forceful retaliation in response to Iran. There was no immediate public statement by the ministers, or by the Israeli prime minister. “We are weighing our steps,” Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the Israeli military chief of staff, told Israeli soldiers on Monday in televised remarks during a visit to an Israeli air base. While the United States, Britain and France strongly condemned Iran’s assault and stepped in to help thwart it on Saturday, their calls for restraint highlighted the pressure Israel was facing to avoid a more direct confrontation with Iran.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Herzi Halevi, ” Mr, Netanyahu, Biden Locations: United States, Britain, Israel, Iran, Gaza, France

☆ Restraint or retribution? Israel faces dilemma in its response to Iran’s attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Israel must balance international pressure to show restraint on the one hand, while searching for an appropriate response to an unprecedented attack. Western and Arab allies of Israel have been discouraging it from responding to Iran’s attack. Benny Gantz, a key member of the war cabinet, has pushed for a swifter response to Iran’s attack, two Israeli officials told CNN. He believes that the longer Israel delays its response to Iran’s attack, the harder it will be to garner international support for it, the sources said. Risking Arab tiesArab states, including those that are friendly with Israel, have expressed concern about a potential escalation from Iran’s attack, but haven’t outright condemned it.

Persons: CNN —, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Raz Zimmt, Israel …, Amir Cohen, ” Zimmt, Alon Pinkas, Tamir Hayman, Israel’s, Jordan, ” Hayman, Joe Biden, Biden, Adam Schultz, Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s, it’s, ” Pinkas, Pinkas, Louai Beshara, Israel, ” Yaakov Amidror, Iran’s, Benny Gantz, haven’t, CNN’s Becky Anderson, Ayman Safadi, ” Safadi Organizations: CNN, Islamic, Analysts, Hamas, Institute for National Security Studies, Sunday, Reuters, National Security, White, Domestic, Getty Locations: CNN — Israel, Islamic Republic, Israel, Iran, Damascus, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Tehran, Ashkelon, Israeli, France, Pinkas, Iranian, Syria, AFP, Rafah, United States, Jerusalem, Jordanian, “, Persian, Hormuz

☆ Live Updates: World Leaders Urge Restraint as Israel Weighs Retaliation Against Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Mike Ives | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Israeli military analysts are divided on whether a more direct confrontation with Iran would alter the war in Gaza. But it occurred against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, where Israel is battling Hamas, a militant group funded and armed by Iran. Some analysts argued that the implications for Gaza would depend on whether Israel responded with a major counterattack against Iran. Other military experts, however, dismissed the link between the Iranian attack and the war in Gaza. General Gilead said that Israel’s army had enough resources to fight against Iran and continue to wage war against Hamas in Gaza.

Persons: Israel, Shlomo Brom, General Brom, “ It’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, ”, Amos Gilead, General Gilead, Giora Eiland, Eiland, Mr, Netanyahu, ” Aaron Boxerman Organizations: Hamas, Israel’s National Security Council Locations: Khan Yunis, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Israeli, Damascus, Rafah, United States, Britain, Jordan, Lebanon, Jerusalem

☆ Iran's missile attacks showed some calculated restraint. Will Israel's response?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Peter Gelling | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

It was a response to Israel's attack on an Iranian consulate building in Damascus on April 1, which killed multiple high-level Iranian commanders. But Iran knows all too well about Israel's Iron Dome and its other air defense systems, which intercepted many of the incoming projectiles. Iran also warned everyone for weeks that the attack was coming — giving Israel's allies time to prepare — and avoided targeting civilian locations. It was a response aimed at demonstrating its capabilities and saving face while — its government hopes — avoiding further escalation. On the day of the Iranian attack, thousands gathered in Tel Aviv to protest against Netanyahu's government.

Persons: —, Ian Bremmer, Michael Horowitz, Will Israel, John Kirby, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden's, Biden, Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, Israel Organizations: Service, British, Business, Eurasia Group, Le Beck, NBC's, West Bank, Iranian Locations: Iran, Israel, Iranian, Damascus, Jordanian, States, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Lebanon, Syria

☆ Leaders Urge Restraint as Israel Considers Retaliation Against Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Mr. Netanyahu now must make a choice. Will he respond to Iran with a forceful counterattack and potentially entangle Israel and other countries in a broader war? No Israeli leader has warned about Iran so consistently as Mr. Netanyahu or, for that matter, has spent so long in office. Since his first year in office in 1996, Mr. Netanyahu warned that a nuclear Iran would be catastrophic and that time was running out. It was never clear if Mr. Netanyahu was bluffing, and the prospect of an imminent strike receded.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ”, Mazal Mualem, “, ” Ms, Mualem, Efraim Halevy, Netanyahu’s, Jeremy Issacharoff, Obama, Barack Obama, bluffing, Donald J, Trump, Mr, Issacharoff, Israel, “ Bibi Organizations: Al, Mr, United Nations General Assembly, Munich Security Conference, of Foreign Affairs, United Locations: Israel, Iran, East, Iranian Embassy, Damascus, Gaza, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, United States, Iranian, Israeli, Germany, U.S, States, Washington, United Arab Emirates

☆ Military Aid to Israel Cannot Be Unconditional - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

And yet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and his ultranationalist allies in government have defied American calls for more restraint and humanitarian help. The United States commitment to Israel — including $3.8 billion a year in military aid, the largest outlay of American foreign aid to any one country in the world — is a reflection of the exceptionally close and enduring relationship between the two countries. A bond of trust, however, must prevail between donors and recipients of lethal arms from the United States, which supplies arms according to formal conditions that reflect American values and the obligations of international law. The question is not whether Israel has the right to defend itself against an enemy sworn to its destruction. In the immediate aftermath of that attack, President Biden rushed to demonstrate America’s full sympathy and support in Israel’s agony.

Persons: —, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Mr, Netanyahu, Biden Organizations: Hamas Locations: Gaza, States, United States, America, Israel

☆ Opinion | Israel’s Security Depends on Rafah
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Benny Morris | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Unfortunately, Benjamin Netanyahu is right — “unfortunately,” I say, because he is the most incompetent, corrupt and divisive Israeli prime minister ever, as many in Israel believe. This week, the Biden administration strongly cautioned against a full-scale invasion of Rafah, saying it could be enormously harmful to civilians and ultimately hurt Israel’s security. Of course, there are formidable reasons for Israel to refrain from invading Rafah. Assaulting Rafah will inevitably cause many civilian casualties, despite assurances by Israel that it will move the civilians out of harm’s way before launching the offensive. Many of those were killed in ground offensives in Gaza City and Khan Younis to the north.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Yahya Sinwar, Biden, Netanyahu, Khan Younis Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Gaza Health Ministry Locations: Israel, Rafah, Gaza, Gaza City

☆ Biden Says Netanyahu Is Making ‘a Mistake’ in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden has again criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and called his approach to the war in Gaza a “mistake,” underscoring how the conflict has strained relations between the two close allies. Tensions between the Biden administration and Israel’s government have risen as the death toll in Gaza has climbed. In an interview that was recorded last week and aired Tuesday night on Univision, Mr. Biden again referred to the strike as “outrageous” and said he did not approve of Mr. Netanyahu’s approach. I don’t agree with his approach,” Mr. Biden said, echoing remarks he made last month. On that call, President Biden threatened to condition future support for Israel on how it addressed his concerns about civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ”, Netanyahu’s, Mr, Netanyahu, Chris Cameron Organizations: Univision, Mr, Associated Press, Israel Locations: Gaza

☆ Biden Says Israel Has Improved Aid Flow to Gaza but Must Do More
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Peter Baker | More About Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli authorities have improved aid delivery to Gaza but still “need to do more,” President Biden said on Wednesday, offering a measured assessment of how well Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is living up to promises he made last week. Since then, Mr. Biden said, Israel has done more to provide access for food, medicine and other critical supplies, but added that he still expects additional action. Mr. Netanyahu committed to increasing the number of aid trucks entering Gaza, and to opening another border crossing into the territory. “It’s not enough,” Mr. Biden said. “We’ll get these hostages home where they belong but also bring back a six week cease-fire that we need now,” Mr. Biden said.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Israel, “ It’s, Mr, Fumio Kishida, Kamala Harris, “ We’ll Organizations: ”, Hamas, United Nations Locations: Gaza, United, Israel, Japan, U.S, United States

☆ Middle East Crisis Israel’s Troop Drawdown in South Leaves Gaza With No Active Battles
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Patrick Kingsley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

A Palestinian woman walks past damaged buildings in Khan Younis on Monday, after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip. Deir al Balah ISRAEL GAZA STRIP Khan Younis The Israeli military said it withdrew a division from the city of Khan Younis. GAZA STRIP ISRAEL Deir al Balah The Israeli military said it withdrew a division from the city of Khan Younis. Khan Younis Rafah The military was preparing for “follow-up missions” that included Rafah, the defense minister said. The 98th Division’s operations in southern Gaza were “extremely impressive,” the Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said in a statement.

Persons: Khan Younis, Israel, Hamas’s, Deir al, ISRAEL Deir al Balah, Yoav Gallant, “, ”, Nahum Barnea, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gallant, ” Mr, Netanyahu, Biden, Abu Bakr Bashir, Gabby Sobelman, Myra Noveck, Johnatan Reiss Organizations: BANK, The New York Times, ”, Israel Locations: Khan, Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Erez, Sderot, BANK GAZA, Deir, ISRAEL GAZA, Rafah Rafah, EGYPT, Shalom, WEST, GAZA, ISRAEL, Khan Younis Rafah, EGYPT Rafah, Kerem Shalom, Cairo

☆ Elizabeth Warren suggests Israel’s actions in Gaza could be ruled as a genocide by international courts
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Morgan Rimmer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

It is wrong to starve children within a civilian population in order to try to bend them to your will. It is wrong to drop 2,000-pound bombs in densely populated civilian areas,” Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, said. Warren has criticized the Biden administration’s policies on Israel, calling for a ceasefire and demanding conditions on future aid to the US ally. After seven World Central Kitchen aid workers were killed in an Israeli strike, Warren posted on X, “Aid workers reflect the best of humanity and need to be protected. We need an immediate ceasefire and to deliver massive amounts of humanitarian aid.”

Persons: CNN — Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Israel, ” Warren, “ Israel, “, Warren, ” Organizations: CNN, Islamic, of Boston, Massachusetts Democrat, Politico, International Court of Justice, International Court, Justice, Biden, Kitchen, “ Locations: Gaza, Israel, Massachusetts

☆ Six months into the war in Gaza, Israel has no exit strategy and no real plan for the future
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —The war in Gaza has been raging for six months and the patience of Israel’s allies is running out. Israel launched the war immediately after the deadly October 7 terror attacks by Hamas. “There is no viable plan for the future of Gaza, not just for the day after, but even today. The number of Israeli soldiers killed in combat in Gaza since the start of the war has now surpassed 250. “He does not have a significantly different set of ideas for Gaza or for the future of Israel, Palestine or for Palestinian sovereignty.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Israel, Yayha Sinwar, ”, Khaled Elgindy, Joe Biden, ” Elgindy, –, Nathan Thrall, “, Abed Salama, ” “, ” Thrall, don’t, Thrall, Elgindy, “ It’s, Yahya Hassouna, Harel Chorev, Moshe Dayan, ” Chorev, we’ll, it’s, ” Hellyer, Benny Gantz, Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu’s, it’s Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Gaza Ministry, Health, Palestinian Affairs, Middle East Institute, Gaza, West Bank, European Union, Getty, Moshe, Moshe Dayan Center for, African, Tel Aviv University, America, “, United, United Arab Emirates, Hellyer, Royal United Services Institute, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Washington DC, Palestinian Authority, KFOR, NATO Locations: Gaza, Israel, United States, United Kingdom, Palestine, Rafah, Jerusalem, Hamas, Gaza City, AFP, Britain, Germany, France, Egypt, Palestinian, United Arab, London, Washington, Kosovo

☆ After 6 Months of War, Some Israelis Ask: Is Netanyahu Dragging It Out?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Patrick Kingsley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Nearly six months since it began, Israel’s war in Gaza is dragging on. So, too, is the tenure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. To his allies, Mr. Netanyahu’s refusal to agree to a cease-fire in Gaza is a necessary one, made in the national interest and backed by many Israelis. To his critics, the prime minister is dragging out the war to prevent the collapse of his fragile right-wing coalition and extend his time in office. Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, Mr. Netanyahu has long been portrayed as a vacillator who prefers to delay decisions for as long as possible so that he can keep all of his options open.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s, President Biden, Israel’s, Netanyahu Locations: Gaza, Israel

☆ 6 months since Oct. 7, the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza has produced no winners
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Civilians in the southern part of the country, areas near the border with Gaza, were under a brutal, ongoing attack. Frida Ghitis CNNSix months after Hamas launched that deadly rampage, knowing that Israel’s response would be ferocious, there are only losers in this terrible war. It’s hard now to find many winners with the death toll mounting among Gazans and hunger growing in the strip. For Hamas, the fact that war continues may count as a victory, but thousands of Hamas’ fighters — the exact number is disputed — have been killed. Hamas — the Iran-allied group that rules Gaza — killed more than 1,200 Israelis and dragged back hundreds more as hostages.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, José Andrés, Israel, Ahmad Gharabli, Israel —, ”, Netanyahu —, —, Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, Abraham Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Frida Ghitis CNN, Hamas, Israeli, vise, —, Gaza, IDF, Getty, Israel, Abraham Accords Locations: Gaza, Israel, Europe, Iran, AFP, Egypt, United States

☆ Middle East Crisis C.I.A. Director Is Heading to Cease-Fire Talks as Pressure Grows on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Julian E. Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

During the call, Mr. Biden threatened to condition future support for Israel on how it addresses his concerns about civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Israeli statement did not give a timing for when the crossing would be reopened. Mr. Biden has grown increasingly critical of Israel’s approach to the war against Hamas in Gaza, saying that more must be done to protect civilians. Image Palestinians gathering to receive food in the town of Jabaliya in northern Gaza last month. Israel has rejected accusations that it is responsible for delays in the delivery of aid.

Persons: Israel, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jordan — “, Erez, Adrienne Watson, “, ”, Netanyahu, —, Ms, Watson, Mahmoud Issa, Kerem, Lloyd J, Austin III, Patrick Kingsley Organizations: Israel, National Security Council, United, Defense, Pentagon, International Court of Justice Locations: Gaza, Ashdod, Israel, United Nations, “, Jabaliya, Kerem Shalom, Rafah, The Hague

☆ In Threatening Israel, Biden Hopes to Avoid a Rupture
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

By the time President Biden hung up the phone, he had finally delivered the threat he had refused to make for months: Israel had to change course, he told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, or the United States would take action. But as the conversation ended on Thursday, aides to Mr. Biden said, the president had reason to hope that the message had gotten through and that he would not have to carry out his threat after all. During the call, Mr. Biden outlined several specific commitments he wanted Israel to make to avoid losing his support for the war against Hamas. Rather than pushing back, according to people informed about the call, Mr. Netanyahu promised that he would announce more humanitarian aid for Gaza within hours and signaled that he would respond to Mr. Biden’s other demands in days to come. director, and Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries in Cairo to try again to broker a temporary cease-fire.

Persons: Biden, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr, Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s, William J, Burns Organizations: White Locations: United States, Gaza, Israel, Cairo

☆ Middle East Crisis Biden Is Set to Speak With Netanyahu Amid Rising Frustration With Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

President Biden’s anger and frustration over Israel’s conduct in the war has hit a peak in recent weeks, according to a senior administration official. It was not immediately clear what, if any, changes in U.S. policy toward Israel would accompany the sharp criticism and anger from Mr. Biden and his top officials. You know, we’re going to have to wait to see what the investigation says,” Mr. Kirby told reporters in Washington. Mr. Kirby said on Wednesday that the United States did not plan to carry out its own separate investigation. “I hope this will be the moment where the president changes course,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland.

Persons: Biden’s, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ”, Defense Lloyd J, Austin III, Yoav Gallant, John F, Kirby, “ I’m, ” Mr, “, Netanyahu, Israel’s, Chris Van Hollen, Rishi Sunak, Katie Rogers Organizations: Defense, Pentagon, White House Locations: Gaza, Israel, Washington, Australia, Britain, Canada, United States, Poland, Maryland

☆ C.I.A. Director Is Heading to Cairo for New Truce Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Julian E. Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

During a 30-minute call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Biden went further than ever in pressing for change in the military operation. Credit... Fatima Shbair/Associated PressBy the middle of the night in Jerusalem, Israel made its first gestures to Mr. Biden. The reported agreement came as American officials held out the prospect of consequences if Mr. Netanyahu resisted. But Mr. Kirby would not outline specific metrics for judging Israel’s response or what Mr. Biden would do if not satisfied. Mr. Biden called himself “outraged and heartbroken” over the incident and made a point of calling Mr. Andrés to express his condolences.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, President Biden, Biden, Biden’s, “, Netanyahu, ”, Fatima Shbair, Mr, Antony J, Blinken, ” Mr, Chris Coons, Coons, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Biden “, William J, Burns, Mohammed Saber, John F, Kirby, emboldening, John Hannah, José Andrés, Andrés, Zomi Frankcom, Damian Soból, Barack Obama, Bibi, ” Ben Rhodes, Obama, ” Jon Favreau, doesn’t, ‘, ’, aggravation, Jill Biden, Joe, ” Julian E, Barnes, Katie Rogers, David E, Sanger, Lara Jakes Organizations: Israel, Hamas, Credit, Associated, U.S . National Security Council, NATO, Democratic, CNN, Republican, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Iran, Central Kitchen, Shutterstock, Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Biden, Mr, Israel Defense Forces, White Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Jerusalem, Ashdod, Jordan, Brussels, Michigan, Washington, Delaware, Iran, Syria, United States, Cairo, “ Hamas, Haiti, Cyprus, U.S, “

☆ Israel to Add Gaza Aid Routes as Biden Hinges Support on Civilian Protection
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden threatened on Thursday to condition future support for Israel on how it addresses his concerns about civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, trying for the first time to leverage American aid to influence the conduct of the war against Hamas. During a tense 30-minute call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, Mr. Biden went further than ever in pressing for change in the military operation that has inflamed many Americans and others around the world. Within hours, White House officials said Israel would speed aid into Gaza as part of an agreement meant to placate the president. “President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” according to a White House summary of the call. “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.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, “, Netanyahu, ” Organizations: Israel, Hamas, White Locations: Gaza, Israel

☆ US awaits Netanyahu’s response after Biden’s ultimatum
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Despite repeatedly expressing its frustration with Israeli tactics, the White House has been unwilling or unable to impose any leverage on the prime minister. There was no immediate response from the prime minister, who held a cabinet meeting after the call that he used to warn that Israel will defend itself against Iran. The Israeli prime minister is a consummate Washington player and has been engaging with Biden’s Republican foes on Capitol Hill, in an alliance that could increase political complications for the president if he creates deeper fractures with the Israeli prime minister. If Biden eventually assesses his warnings are falling on deaf ears, his credibility will depend on him publicly imposing a cost on the Israeli prime minister. But Biden’s political imperatives and the increasing humanitarian price of the war in Gaza mean he’s approaching a fateful crossroads.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Biden, –, Antony Blinken, Delaware Sen, Chris Coons, Blinken, Israel, John Kirby, Israel –, fulsomely, Biden didn’t, Leon Panetta, CNN’s Jake Tapper, ”, Independent Sen, Bernie Sanders, Tapper, “, ” Sanders, ” Netanyahu’s, ” Netanyahu, ” Kirby, Mike Johnson Organizations: CNN, Arab, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Democrat, White, Democratic, White House, National Security Communications, Independent, Hamas, Islamic, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, United, Washington, Republican, GOP Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Delaware, Palestinian American, Brussels, Washington, Vermont, Iran, Islamic Republic, Damascus, Rafah

☆ Biden Chides Netanyahu, Threatening to Pivot U.S. Policy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

During a 30-minute call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Biden went further than ever in pressing for change in the military operation. “President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” according to a White House summary of the call. But Mr. Kirby would not outline specific metrics for judging Israel’s response or what Mr. Biden would do if not satisfied. Mr. Biden called himself “outraged and heartbroken” over the incident and made a point of calling Mr. Andrés to express his condolences. Bibi obviously doesn’t care what the U.S. says, its about what the U.S. does.”Jon Favreau, a former chief speechwriter for Mr. Obama, was even more derisive of Mr. Biden.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, President Biden, Biden, “, Netanyahu, ”, Fatima Shbair, Antony J, Blinken, ” Mr, Biden’s, Chris Coons, Mr, Coons, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Biden “, Mohammed Saber, John F, Kirby, emboldening, John Hannah, José Andrés, Andrés, Zomi Frankcom, Damian Soból, Barack Obama, Bibi, ” Ben Rhodes, Obama, ” Jon Favreau, doesn’t, ‘, ’, aggravation, Jill Biden, Joe, Katie Rogers, David E, Sanger, Lara Jakes Organizations: Israel, Hamas, Credit, Associated, NATO, Democratic, CNN, Republican, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Iran, Central Kitchen, Shutterstock, Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Biden, Mr, Israel Defense Forces, White Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Brussels, Michigan, Washington, Delaware, Jerusalem, Iran, Syria, United States, “ Hamas, Haiti, Cyprus, U.S, “

☆ Middle East Crisis Israeli Military Takes Responsibility for Strike That Killed 7 Aid Workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Ben Shpigel | Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

A car used by World Central Kitchen that was hit by a strike in Deir al Balah in the central Gaza Strip. The Israeli military had been informed of the aid workers’ movements, the charity said. The World Central Kitchen logo could be seen on items inside the charred interiors of the northernmost and southernmost cars. Mr. Abutaha and other World Central Kitchen workers were thrilled to have the opportunity to unload the desperately needed food aid. The World Central Kitchen aid ship is headed back to Cyprus.

Persons: Deir al Balah, José Andrés, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ”, Erin Gore, Anthony Albanese, Zomi, Penny Wong, Damian Sobol, Wojciech Bakun, Zomi Frankcom, Associated Press David Cameron, John Chapman, James Henderson, James Kirby, Chapman, Henderson, Jacob Flickinger, Saif Abutaha, Abutaha, Shadi, “, Cameron, Israel “, Jamie McGoldrick, Haitham Imad, Mr, Netanyahu, ” Mr, Herzi Halevi, Daniel Hagari, Jennifer, Theodoros Gotsis, Gotsis, Patrick Kingsley, Rawan Sheikh Ahmad, Gabby Sobelman, Matina, Lauren Leatherby, Nader Ibrahim, Kim Severson Organizations: Central Kitchen, The New York Times, ”, ., Free Place Foundation, Associated Press, BBC, James Kirby . Local, Royal Marines, Palestine Red Crescent Society, Central, West Bank, Najjar, United Nations, Agence France, Cypriot Locations: Deir al, Gaza, Spanish, Deir al Balah, Al, Rashid, Palestinian, United States, Canada, Australia, Britain, Poland, Australian, Polish, Przemysl, British, James Kirby . Local British, Palestine, Egypt, Israel, Rafah, Cyprus, Cypriot, Larnaca

☆ Biden and Netanyahu call comes amid extreme mutual tensions and political pressure
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The conversation will also take place with both leaders under enormous domestic pressure and amid signs their political priorities are irreconcilable. Biden badly needs the war to end to ease anger among progressives that is threatening his weakened political coalition ahead of November’s election. The backdrop to the call is US fury over the killings of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen in an Israeli strike in Gaza. And the killings of the aid workers threatens to halt a vital lifeline needed to mitigate famine in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. The strike on Damascus also heaped more domestic political pressure on Biden from inside the Democratic Party.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, ’, Biden, Netanyahu, It’s, Xi Jinping, Biden’s, ”, Israel, John Kirby, José Andrés, “, Rishi Sunak, Donald Trump, Thaer Ahmad, Nahreen Ahmed, ‘, Biden “, Benny Gantz, Ro Khanna, Mark Esper, ” Esper, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Netanyahu – Organizations: CNN, Israeli, National Security Communications, Hamas, World, Reuters, Navy, America, Gaza Health Ministry, Israel Defense Forces, Republicans, Capitol, British, Democratic, White, Black, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Democratic Party, ”, Democrats, California Democrat, Americans, Iranian Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Washington, Syria, China, America, Britain, Australia, Canada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Palestinian American, Palestine, Damascus, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Iranian, Damascus –, United States, Lebanon, California, Jordan

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