The White House said that when President Biden talked to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, he “expressed his support for a cease-fire and discussed U.S. engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end.”
So far, the White House had declined to call for a cease-fire publicly, urging de-escalation and stating its support for Israel’s self-defense. The White House said Biden reiterated that support to Netanyahu while also encouraging Israel “to ensure the protection of innocent civilians.”
Calls for a cease-fire have intensified in Washington, including among Democrats in Congress who are strong supporters of Israel and even some Republicans.
Israeli warplanes pounded targets early Monday in Gaza City as the escalating conflict between Hamas and Israel entered its second week.
Palestinian officials said nearly 200 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in recent days, including many children. The death toll on the Israeli side stands at eight, including one child.
“Last night, the attacks from the Israeli warplanes were heavier and lasted longer than ever before,” Leni Stenseth of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency told NPR. The last week of bombardment has damaged infrastructure in Gaza, she added, including hospitals and schools.
Meanwhile, Hamas continued launching rockets at Israel, hitting a synagogue late Sunday evening. International efforts to quell some of the worst violence in years between Israel and Hamas have not led to any indication of a cease-fire.
“This senseless cycle of bloodshed, terror and destruction must stop immediately,” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said in remarks Sunday.
The violence is spiking to new levels at a time when the U.S. is conducting an arms sale to Israel worth some $735 million — news first reported Monday by The Washington Post.
The deal centers on Joint Direct Attack Munition kits, which according to the U.S. Navy, add GPS guidance and other features to standard bombs to convert them into “precision-guided ‘smart’ munitions.”
Details about the sale were confirmed to NPR by the office of Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
“This was informally cleared in April and we received formal notice on May 5,” said Leslie Shedd, spokesperson for Republicans on the House committee. “There is a 15-day review process — which ends on the 20th. The ranking member supports this sale.”
House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Rep. Gregory Meeks plans to send a letter to the administration requesting that the sale be delayed while lawmakers review it, a Democratic aide told NPR. The letter was first reported by Vox.
