The president of the United States Joe Biden had a telephone conversation with the prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, and discussed the situation in Rafah and efforts to increase humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, the White House said.

The phone call was the first between the two men since February 15 and is being made while the tension between Israel and the US is increasing due to Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza.

“President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the latest developments in Israel and Gaza, including the situation in Rafah and efforts to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza,” the White House said.

In a speech Thursday, Senate President Chuck Schumer, a staunch supporter of Israel and the highest-ranking Jewish elected official, called for the holding new elections in Israel stating that Netanyahu is an obstacle to peace.

Joe Biden the next day supported Schumer’s position, saying it echoes the concerns of many Americans.

Netanyahu responded in stride yesterday, saying in an interview with CNN that Schumer’s interview she was “totally inappropriate”.

The Israeli prime minister reiterated during a cabinet meeting yesterday that Israeli forces will attack Rafah, the last “safe” enclave in the Gaza Strip, despite international pressure on Israel to avoid further civilian casualties.

After his 45-minute conversation with the US president, Netanyahu released a video saying the two leaders discussed “Israel’s commitment to achieve all the objectives of the war: the elimination of Hamas, the release of all our hostages and the promise that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.”

Netanyahu insisted that Israel would provide Gazans with “necessary humanitarian assistance that helps achieve these goals.”