WASHINGTON, D.C. President Joe Biden on Thursday called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that future U.S. support for the countrys military offensive will depend on whether Israel takes concrete steps to protect civilians and humanitarian workers in the Palestinian enclave.

The presidents comments are the first time he has threatened conditioning aid to the U.S.s strongest ally in the Middle East during the last six months of violence in Gaza.

In a call with the prime minister, the first since March 18, Biden said that the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza is unacceptable and that Israel must announce and implement measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering and the safety of aid workers, according to a readout from the White House.

He made clear that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israels immediate action on these steps.

Just hours after Bidens call, an Israeli official told Axios that the countrys security cabinet has approved opening the Erez crossing in northern Gaza for the first time since Oct. 7 in order to allow more humanitarian aid to enter the enclave.

The cabinet also reportedly approved temporarily opening up the Ashdod port to transport additional aid into Gaza, and will increase the amount of humanitarian assistance coming from Jordan via the Kerem Shalom crossing.

The Times of Israel confirmed the moves , which is an admission by Israel that it was not previously doing everything in its power to allow life-saving aid into Gaza.