President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday that he expects to see a “significant de-escalation” in Israel’s military attacks in the skirmish between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the Washington Post reports.
In the fourth call between the two leaders since the crisis began, Biden instructed Netanyahu to begin reducing operations in the Gaza area. Since hostilities started last week, more than 212 people, including 61 children, have been killed, the vast majority of them being Gaza residents.
“The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel’s progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States,” White House spokesman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, reading from a statement, as they traveled with Biden on Air Force One to Connecticut, where Biden will address the US Coast Guard Academy graduation. “The president conveyed to the Prime Minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire.”