White House: Biden pressures Netanyahu to protect civilians in Gaza

(Patria) - President Joe Biden on Saturday pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to protect civilian lives in Gaza, the White House said, AFP reported.

The conversation followed a day after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution demanding "safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance on a large scale", although it ceased to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

"The President emphasized the critical need to protect the civilian population, including those supporting the humanitarian aid operation, and the importance of enabling civilians to move safely away from areas of ongoing fighting," the White House statement said.

Biden told reporters earlier in the day at the White House that he had a "long conversation" with Netanyahu, which he described as a "private conversation".

Responding to a follow-up question, Biden said: "I did not ask for a ceasefire".

The White House statement said the two leaders discussed the "goals and phases" of the Israeli military campaign, as well as the importance of ensuring the release of all remaining hostages.