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Biden, Netanyahu don't agree on need for 'humanitarian pause' amid Gaza offensive
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON – President Biden did not reach an agreement during his call Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the need for a humanitarian pause in the Israel-Hamas war.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US would “continue to advocate for temporary, localized pauses in the fighting.”
The Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 10,000, including more than 4,100 children and 2,640 women, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza.
Asked whether the toll gave the US pause for its staunch support for Israel, Kirby said, “I think we all need to remember who they’re fighting,” and referenced Hamas’ Oct. 7 incursion into Israel that killed 1,400 people and started the war.
He insisted “no country” would tolerate such an attack “without a swift and aggressive response,” but said the US was having “frank” conversations with Israel about trying to reduce the civilian death toll.