Biden, Netanyahu Speak for the First Time in More Than a Month as Tensions Rise

WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had their first phone conversation in over a month on March 18, amid rising tensions between the two leaders over the Gaza conflict.

Both leaders discussed the most recent developments in Israel and Gaza, especially the situation in Rafah and measures to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, the White House stated.

The president expressed his deep concerns about the possibility of Israel initiating major military operations in Rafah, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on March 18.

Speaking during a White House briefing, Mr. Sullivan noted that a million people have taken refuge in Rafah and have nowhere else to go as Gaza and other major cities have largely been destroyed.

“Israel has not presented us or the world with a plan for how or where they would safely move those civilians, let alone feed and house them and ensure access to basic things like sanitation,” Mr. Sullivan said.

He also noted that Rafah is a main access point for humanitarian assistance into Gaza from Egypt and Israel and that an invasion would cut off the aid, putting people in danger at a time when it is most desperately needed.

“The President told the Prime Minister again today that we share the goal of defeating Hamas, but we just believe you need a coherent and sustainable strategy to make that happen,” Mr. Sullivan said.

During the press briefing, Mr. Sullivan confirmed that Israel has made significant progress against Hamas, including killing the terrorist organization’s No. 3 commander, Marwan Issa, in a military operation last week.

“The rest of the top leaders are in hiding, likely deep in the Hamas tunnel network, and justice will come for them too. We’re helping to ensure that,” Mr. Sullivan said.

Mr. Netanyahu agreed to send a team of Israeli officials, including military intelligence and humanitarian officials, to Washington to meet with Biden administration officials.

“Anytime I hear an argument that says if you don’t smash into Rafah, you can’t defeat Hamas, I say that is a straw man,” Mr. Sullivan said. “Our view is that there are ways for Israel to prevail in this conflict, to secure its long-term future, to end the terror threat from Gaza, and not smash into Rafah, and that’s what we’re going to present.”

President Biden has recently faced criticism from progressive lawmakers and voters, particularly youth and Muslim voters, over his handling of the Hamas–Israel war.

Eight lawmakers—led by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)—sent a letter to President Biden a week ago, urging him to “enforce U.S. law” and cut off military aid to Israel amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Israel has repeatedly denied blocking humanitarian assistance for Gaza.

President Biden has become increasingly frustrated with Mr. Netanyahu in recent weeks. Following his State of the Union address on March 7, he was caught on a hot mic saying that he and the Israeli leader would need to have a “’come to Jesus’ meeting.”

During the press briefing, Mr. Sullivan was asked if President Biden’s recent phone call with Mr. Netanyahu could be described as a “come to Jesus” conversation.

“I’m not going to characterize that on behalf of the president,” Mr. Sullivan responded.

The phone conversation “did not end abruptly,” he also said, denying media reports.

Tensions between President Biden and Mr. Netanyahu have risen further after the president defended the comments made by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who called for new elections in Israel.

“He made a good speech, and I think he expressed a serious concern shared not only by him but by many Americans,” President Biden told reporters on March 15.

Speaking on the Senate floor on March 14, Mr. Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the United States, said that the Israeli prime minister had “lost his way” and was one of several “major obstacles” to peace in the region.

Mr. Netanyahu rejected calls for fresh elections in Israel on March 17, saying that he would not bow to international pressure to halt the war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

Speaking at a government meeting, Mr. Netanyahu warned that there are members of the international community who are trying to stop the war by “hurling false accusations” against him and the Israeli military.

“They are doing this because they know that elections now will halt the war and paralyze the country for at least six months,” he said.

The war has raged in the region since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Katabella Roberts and Aldgra Fredly contributed to this report.