President Joe Biden has issued a warning to Israel, stating that support for their offensive in Gaza will be contingent on concrete actions to protect aid workers and civilians. This move marks a significant shift as Biden seeks to use US aid as leverage to influence Israeli military behavior, a departure from his previous stance of unwavering support for Israel.

The warning came after a deadly Israeli attack on aid workers from World Central Kitchen, with Israel claiming it was a mistake. This incident has sparked calls from Biden’s fellow Democrats to place conditions on US aid to Israel, a move that the President has previously resisted.

In a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden emphasized the need for Israel to take specific, measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers. The White House stated that US policy towards Gaza will be determined by Israel’s immediate actions in response to these concerns.

As Israel’s top weapons supplier, the US has historically provided diplomatic support for Israel at the United Nations. However, the Biden administration’s threat to condition aid marks a potential shift in this dynamic, with the President signaling a willingness to hold Israel accountable for its actions.

While the White House has not specified what changes in policy towards Israel and Gaza may occur, they have expressed hope for prompt action from Israel in the coming hours and days. This development has the potential to alter the course of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with implications for both US-Israel relations and the humanitarian situation in the region.