The two leaders spoke as Mr. Biden makes diplomatic efforts to renew talks between Israel and Hamas and ahead of an upcoming visit to the White House by Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
Mr. Biden said in an interview broadcast in April that Mr. Netanyahu’s policy toward the Gaza Strip was a mistake.
Washington has said it opposes a large-scale Israeli military operation without a credible plan for Rafah, where some 1.2 million people have taken refuge. Palestinians, to protect civilians.
“The president reiterated his clear position on Rafah,” the White House said, adding that Mr. Biden also briefed the Israeli leader on negotiations to release Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militants.
At the time, Netanyahu “agreed to keep the Kerem Shalom border crossing open for humanitarian aid to those in need,” added a report of their conversation after Israel closed the main border crossing into the Gaza Strip following a Hamas rocket attack. .
Mr. Biden did not take questions as he went directly to the Oval Office from the Marine One helicopter after returning to the White House from his residence in Wilmington, Delaware, where he spent the weekend.
Earlier, a spokesman for the US National Security Council reported on the conversation between Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu, saying that “we have made clear to the Israeli government our views on a major ground invasion of Rafah”.
“We continue to believe that the hostage settlement is the best way to preserve the lives of the hostages and prevent an invasion of Rafah, where more than a million people have taken refuge,” a spokesman told AFP.
In an election year, Mr. Biden is under increasing domestic pressure over the war in the Gaza Strip and pro-Palestinian protests on US university campuses.
New York’s prestigious Columbia University, at the center of student protests against the war in the Gaza Strip, announced Monday that it had canceled a major graduation ceremony scheduled for next week.
Tags: Ahead alleged attack Rafah Biden reiterated warning Netanyahu
