Israeli ambassador confirms Biden-Netanyahu call as Israel enters 'second stage' of Gaza invasion

Israeli ambassador confirms Biden-Netanyahu call as Israel enters 'second stage' of Gaza invasion

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog confirmed that President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone Sunday morning.

Herzog confirmed the call during an appearance on Fox News, saying the two leaders remained in constant contact. Neither the U.S. nor Israel has offered details regarding the pair's conversation, but it comes as the Israeli military is entering the "second stage" of its war against Hamas.

Israeli Defense Forces had relied mostly on airstrikes and artillery for the first three weeks of the war, but they are now beinging extensive ground operations in northern Gaza.

Biden's administration has fully endorsed Israel's right to defend itself and to retaliate against Hamas for the October 7 massacre. He has urged Israel to do all it can to minimize civilian casualties, however.