In a phone call on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Joe Biden “welcomed the first two convoys of humanitarian assistance” to the Gaza Strip, which “is being distributed to Palestinians in need,” per a White House readout of the call.
“The leaders affirmed that there will now be continued flow of this critical assistance into Gaza,” the White House stated.
Also on Sunday, Biden released a joint statement with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The leaders, in part, welcomed “the announcement of the first humanitarian convoys to reach Palestinians in need in Gaza and committed to continue coordinating with partners in the region to ensure sustained and safe access to food, water, medical care and other assistance required to meet humanitarian needs.”
Also on Sunday, Biden spoke with Pope Francis and discussed “his efforts to ensure delivery of food, medicine and other humanitarian assistance to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” according to a White House readout.
Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken have acknowledged in recent days that Hamas could intercept and seize humanitarian supplies intended for civilians. Hamas has also stolen supplies from United Nations facilities.
Netanyahu’s office didn’t immediately send the readout of his call with Biden. There are often noted differences between U.S. and Israeli readouts.
The Israeli prime minister also spoke on Sunday with Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, per a readout from the Israeli prime minister’s office.