Biden and Netanyahu spoke by phone for the first time in over a month

(Patria) - U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone today, their first call in more than a month amid rising tensions over Israel's offensive in Gaza, the White House announced.

The two last spoke on February 15, and Biden has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of Israel due to the number of Palestinian casualties and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, RSE reports.

Biden spoke with Netanyahu about new developments in Israel and Gaza, including the situation in Rafah and efforts to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, the statement said.

The White House added that more details about the conversation would be released later.

Netanyahu has rejected Washington's pressure, recently saying that Israel will proceed with its plan for an offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah to defeat Hamas.

With the UN warning of impending famine in Gaza, Biden earlier this month ordered the U.S. military to begin air-dropping food into the enclave and is sending U.S. forces to build a temporary port for aid.

At the same time, the U.S. continues to supply billions of dollars in military aid to its close ally, Israel.