Biden warns Netanyahu that U.S. policy on Gaza hinges on improved conditions there

President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Thursday that U.S. policy on the war in Gaza will be determined by whether Israel takes "a series of specific, concrete and measurable steps" to address deaths of civilians and aid workers in the territory, the White House said.

The 30-minute phone call came after seven aid workers with World Central Kitchen were killed in Israeli strikes. Biden said the strikes and the humanitarian situation in Gaza were unacceptable and urged Netanyahu to conclude hostage talks so that an "immediate ceasefire" can be put in place and more aid distributed in the region.

"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," the White House said in a statement after the call.

"He made clear that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel's immediate action on these steps. He underscored that an immediate ceasefire is essential to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians, and he urged the prime minister to empower his negotiators to conclude a deal without delay to bring the hostages home," the White House said.

Where the negotiations stand

Biden's call for Netanyahu to "empower" his negotiators comes as Israeli media report Netanyahu has limited their authority to reach a final deal.

Israel did not provide an immediate response to the White House's readout of the conversation, but on Wednesday, an Israeli official blamed the impasse in the cease-fire talks on the U.S. decision to allow a U.N. Security Council cease-fire resolution to pass on