In call with Abbas, Biden says Hamas must 'cease firing rockets'

In his first conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas since taking office, US President Joe Biden on Saturday expressed what he called Washington’s commitment to strengthening the US-Palestinian partnership and asked for Hamas to stop the firing rockets towards Israel.

"President Biden updated President Abbas on U.S. diplomatic engagement on the ongoing conflict and stressed the need for Hamas to cease firing rockets into Israel," said a White House statement.

"They expressed their shared concern that innocent civilians, including children, have tragically lost their lives amidst the ongoing violence."

The call for Hamas to end rocket attacks comes amid refusal from the US administration to explicitly call for an immediate ceasefire from both sides. Biden has also failed to criticise Israel's heaving bombardment of Gaza, including the targeting of building housing media offices on Saturday.

Biden highlighted the recent US decision to resume economic and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, voicing support for steps to "enable the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom and economy opportunity that they deserve."

Abbas’ spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina confirmed the conversation had taken place, telling AFP that it was "important" without elaborating on the details of the exchange.