Joe Biden dials Netanyahu, Mahmoud Abbas; raises concerns about 'security of journalists'

With Israel-Palestine conflict escalating, US President Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday where he raised concerns over civilian casualties and need to protect journalists amid violence. Biden's call comes after Israeli Defense Force (IDF) brought down high-rise buildings in Gaza which houses several media outlets, including Associated Press and Al Jazeera office. 

A statement released by White House, re, " President reaffirmed his strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas and or terrorist groups in Gaza. He condemned se indiscriminate attacks against towns and cities across Israel. President noted that this current period of conflict has tragically claimed lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children. He raised concerns about safety and security of journalists and reinforced need to ensure ir protection."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has also spoken on phone with President Joe Biden and urged United States to intervene in conflict and put an end to Israeli attacks on Palestinians. 

As per Palestinian news agency Wafa, Mahmoud Abbas stressed on need to 'halt Israeli aggression' stating that he was working to reach a cease-fire. According to agency, he also told Biden that Palestinians are rey to work towards peace however, “security and stability will be achieved when Israeli occupation ends." 

AP Office razed down in airstrike

According to a statement from Netanyahu's office, PM told Biden that Israel h evacuated uninvolved from towers ding that country was doing everything to avoid harming uninvolved. According to reports, owner of Al Jalaa tower, Jaw Mehendi h received a call, allegedly from Israeli Defence Force, which issued a warning of an airstrike at  tower. owner was asked to evacuate his 11-storey building and was given 60 minutes to do so. 

"It (Hamas) uses tall buildings in Gaza for multiple military purposes such as intelligence garing, planning attacks, command and control, and communications," IDF stated. "We called building's residents and warned m to leave. We sent SMS messages. We dropped "roof knocker" bombs; y make loud noises and hit only roof. We provided sufficient time to evacuate," it ded. 

During call, President Biden also expressed 'strong support' towards Israel, and discussed escalating intercommunal violence within Israel sharing how Jersusalem needed to be a place of 'peaceful coexistence for people of all faiths and backgrounds.' Netanyahu thanked Biden for “unreserved support of United States for our right to defend ourselves.”