Israel must protect innocent Gaza residents by distinguishing between Hamas militants and civilians, the White House warned Sunday, as world leaders stepped up calls for desperately needed humanitarian aid to reach the war-torn Palestinian territory.

While the U.S. ally has the right to defend itself, it must do so “in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law that prioritizes the protection of civilians,” Mr. Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call, the White House said.

He spoke after his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told CNN that Israel “should be taking every possible means available to them to distinguish between Hamas —terrorists, who are legitimate military targets — and civilians, who are not.”

-AFP