US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Thursday for the first time since Israel's deadly strike on a convoy of aid workers in Gaza.

During the phone call, Biden told Netanyahu that future US support for the Gaza war depends on new steps to protect civilians and aid workers.

"He made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers," the White House said in a statement following the leaders call.

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"He made clear that US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel's immediate action on these steps."

Israel has acknowledged responsibility for the strikes but said the convoy was not targeted and the workers' deaths were not intentional. The country continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killings.

The strikes, which killed seven workers with the World Central Kitchen – including Melbourne-born Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom – have set off a furore inside the Biden White House even as the administration's public support for Israel remains unwavering.

In a statement on Tuesday reacting to the strikes, Biden explicitly blamed Israel for failing to protect aid workers and civilians in Gaza, saying he was outraged by the deaths of the World Central Kitchen workers and adding: "Incidents like yesterday's simply should not happen."

But the strikes still appear to have not threatened the relationship between Israel and the United States – its largest and most important ally.

Biden is set to green light an $US18 billion ($27.2 billion) sale of fighter jets from the United States and Israel and the administration recently authorised the transfer to Israel of over 1000 226-kilogram bombs and over 1000 small-diameter bombs, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The US president has called for a temporary ceasefire that includes the release of hostages held by Hamas, and has repeatedly said he does not want Israel to undertake a ground invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, where scores of displaced Gazans have sought shelter, but he has so far stopped short of calling for a permanent ceasefire.

Biden's hesitance to do so is increasingly out of step with the actions and public statements of other world leaders, including US allies.

Biden said last month Netanyahu was "hurting Israel more than helping Israel," causing Netanyahu in turn to say Biden was wrong on his assessment of how Israel has acted in Gaza.

While Biden has criticised the way Netanyahu has waged his war, the messaging surrounding Biden's support for Israel has remain unchanged since the deadly strikes.

"Now, I want to make it clear that while we take issue with aspects of how operations are being conducted … we also continue to believe and continue to act on the belief that Israel has a right to defend itself against a still-viable threat by Hamas," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Wednesday.

"They still have every right and responsibility to their people to eliminate that threat after the 7th of October.

"And so," he added, "that support for Israel continues."

Seeing your favourite items on special at the supermarket can feel like a huge relief during the cost-of-living crisis – but it's hurting some Australian producers.

The major supermarkets are putting fresh produce on special regularly, a positive for consumers looking to make their cash stretch further, but it means producers are paid less for their produce.

Grower services manager at Fruit Growers Victoria Michael Crisera told 9news.com.au it was a common misconception the retailer was wearing the cost of the special.

READ MORE: Grape grower claims farmers being sized out

Crisera claims it has been growers and suppliers taking the hit in recent years.

"It can make it difficult for growers to remain profitable if they're getting asked to supply below their cost to meet a special," Crisera said.

Coles and Woolworths both say they aim to put fruit and vegetables on special at times of seasonal abundance.

How do specials for fresh produce work?

Crisera said there were two strategies the three major supermarkets – Coles, Woolworths and Aldi – were using.

He said Woolworths and Coles decided when they wanted something to go on special and then expected suppliers to sell their produce for less.

"Coles and Woolies like to force the price down with specials then keep it at that price when off special and enjoy the mark-up," Crisera said.

Aldi runs a loss leader strategy, meaning it buys the produce for the same price but when it puts something on special it wears the cost and doesn't change their purchase price.

"Our fruit and vegetable growers aren't always keen when there are specials nearly every second week," Crisera said.

"I think when (fresh produce) does go on special, you'd hope that there's more volume being moved.

"They are not going to get any more money but it definitely helps the retailer get people in store against their opposition, if certain lines of fruit are cheaper in Coles or Woolies than somewhere else."

READ MORE: Younger Aussies make sacrifices after spending one-quarter of income on groceries

He said Coles and Woolworths would probably struggle to do a loss leader strategy as their overheads are much higher than Aldi's.

"I think growers and retailers need to really work together to work out what product they may have an oversupply on that they might want to do specials on but not as frequently," Crisera said.

"And then also, when it does go off (special) … to make sure that the growers' prices are coming up as well."

He said supermarkets often fought to match each other on prices, which was contributing to the frequency of specials.

"There is a real fine line there when it comes to being profitable for the grower but also giving value to the consumer," Crisera said.

"I think we just got to work together to make it happen … so growers are getting paid enough and also there's still some value for the customers."

A Coles spokesperson said it worked closely with growers to find ways to offer value on quality produce to customers.

"During periods of seasonal supply flushes and favourable growing conditions, for example, our growers will often offer additional volumes of produce when they have extra stock to sell," the spokesperson said.

"We then work with them to move this produce through specials and promotions, which reduces waste and benefits the growers.

"We also have many initiatives that support farmers and growers, including the Coles Nurture Fund through which we have already offered more than $33 million in financial support to almost 100 small and medium-sized businesses."

A Woolworths spokesperson said it worked hard to balance the needs of both customers and suppliers.

"We offer a range of promotions to help our customers get more value out of their shop," the spokesperson said.

"Our fruit and veg specials are often timed to coincide with seasonal abundance, when many of the growers we work with are looking to sell higher volumes, and can benefit from these promotions."

Aldi was contacted for comment.

Senate inquiry

Specials were among a list of concerns brought up by farmers during the Australian Senate inquiry into the major supermarkets.

Growers claimed apples were on sale for more than twice what they had been paid for the produce.

The inquiry is looking into the market power and food pricing practices of Australia's major supermarkets.

It has been told the big supermarkets are abusing their power and should be broken up before there is a societal breakdown.

It heard Australia's big supermarkets were putting farmers out of business and placing undue pressure on customers.

An ACCC survey of more than 13,000 customers found many younger Australians and low-income households were spending up to a quarter of their yearly income on groceries.

Some parents said they were eating less to ensure their children didn't go hungry and swapping out fresh food for frozen products to make ends meet.

A final report on the major supermarkets will be handed to the government on May 7.

A manhunt is under way for at least four masked offenders behind an early-morning crime spree across south Brisbane. 

Police said the group stole a Mercedes from Coorparoo before then storming homes in Kuraby, Stretton, Calamvale and Parkinson about 6am today.

They began by breaking into a home in Stretton while the family was upstairs asleep in their rooms.

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The thieves ransacked the living room and kitchen before heading upstairs.

It was then a shocked homeowner was confronted by the group and could be seen on security footage chasing them out of his home.

About two hours later, the same group attempted to break into another home nearby.

The owners told 9News the group had tried switching off their power to disable security cameras and attempted to kick in the front door but failed and left empty handed.

The next victim, Leslie Gan, had a brick thrown through her window as the group tried to smash their way in. 

"They were in dark clothing all sleathed up, tried to get in through this window, thrown a brick through," Gan said.

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In a moment Gan said was pure adrenaline, she confronted the masked men and chased them out of her home. 

"I shouted at them to get away. They kind of looked at me, took off around the side of the house," she said. 

"I feel like I want to barricade myself in the house now … We're really terrified." 

Police found the stolen Mercedes dumped at Slacks Creek about 9am.

The four bandits remain on the run.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Images of the blaze show thick plumes of smoke filling the air.

NSW Police have arrested two high-ranking Hell's Angels members in Sydney's Inner West.

Organised Crime strike force officers stormed the homes of former Bandidos leader now Angels member Jason Fahey, 43, and fellow bikie Tannous Abboud, 40, in Chiswick this morning.

The homes, which are just 100 metres apart, were raided simultaneously with both men arrested over two separate alleged assaults.

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Both men were taken to Burwood Police Station.

Police alleged Fahey was involved in an assault that took place at Brighton Le Sand after a confrontation following a crash at 11am on March 20.

A 50-year-old driver told police that he had been involved in a car crash on Argyle Street when the driver of the other car, identified as Fahey, allegedly assaulted him with a hammer and demanded $200,000 in cash before fleeing the scene.

The 50-year-old was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

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In a separate incident on March 26 at a gym in Five Dock, police allege an "unknown" man, now identified as Abboud, punched and threatened another man with a pole about 12.30pm.

The alleged victim was working out at the gym at the time.

Fahey was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm in the company of others, demanding property with menaces with intent to steal and failing to comply to a digital evidence order direction. 

He was denied bail, the magistrate telling the court: "In view of the nature of the offences … and this was essentially kidnapping and extortion … bail will be refused."

Abboud was charged with affray, common assault and armed with intent to commit an indictable offence.

He was granted bail today. 

A grandmother from the northern Adelaide suburb of Paralowie has become an instant multimillionaire after winning a staggering $2.2 million on the Keno. 

The winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, said the moment she found out about her win was magical. She wants to use her new fortune to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate.

The Paralowie grandmother purchased her winning ticket at Paralowie Village Lotteries. 

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"(She was) extremely excited," employee Kelly Hera-Singh said. 

"She didn't think she had won at all, and I asked her to double-check the ticket with me, and it turns out she is the winner."

The lucky ticket holder is a regular customer who's played with the same numbers every week for years.

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She is planning to share her newfound wealth with her family and donate to charitable causes. A holiday and new home are also in her future plans.

The grandmother isn't the first jackpot winner from the area, with a local man having won $15 million playing the lotto in 2013.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.

The coalition is bringing back a requirement to allow a referendum on Māori wards.

Crows have been causing upset by stealing items from gravesites at a cemetery in Sydney's west.

The birds have been pulling flowers out of vases and picking at loose items at Penrith General Cemetery over the last few weeks.

It's prompted Penerish City Council to display signs to alert visitors that their loved ones' graves might be disturbed.

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It said there had been a large number of crows on the grounds that had been disturbing the site in search of food and water.

"Over the past weeks crows at Penrith Cemetery have been causing problems by pulling flowers out vases, picking at unsecured items from gravesites, and generally scavenging gravesites," a council spokesperson said.

"We have been advising visitors to firmly secure items so that the crows cannot take the items."

Crows are notoriously clever and curious birds who are known to steal shiny things.

Despite police claiming they have phone recordings of an alleged child abuse victim describing sexual acts she was forced to perform, her accused groomer has been granted bail.

Self-professed prophet William Kamm has been charged along with his wife Sandra Susan Mathison with the sexual abuse of the child since she was six years old.

While police say the 73-year-old never met his victim, they claim he phoned her, wrote her letters and sent presents intending to groom the girl to become a "queen" in his church.

READ MORE: Cult leader accused of grooming girl to be his 'queen'

On Thursday, police prosecutor Sergeant Mark Philipson told Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court the evidence consisted of intercepted telephone chats between Mathison and the alleged victim as well as over 2000 jail calls from Kamm to his wife.

In one call the complainant, who cannot be identified, told Mathison she was required to masturbate over the phone with Kamm.

"The response from Mrs Mathison was along the lines of admitting or acknowledging (the complainant) was required to do that," Sgt Philipson said.

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In another call, the 58-year-old told the alleged victim she had been chosen to be a "queen" for a very long time.

The court heard that while Kamm was in jail, he spoke in code words to his wife over the phone using phrases like 'number eight', 'sausage', or 'brother'.

"There was coded conversation between the accused and the co-accused Ms Mathison concerning whether or not the complainant had reached puberty," Sgt Philipson said.

Defence barrister Paul Johnson called the complainant's claims "bizarre", saying they did not match with police facts which said she disclosed the alleged masturbation to Mathison when she was 16 years old.

According to the facts sheet, Mathison told the girl she should perform that sexual act during confession with Kamm.

Johnson said while women in the church were appointed as queens, there was no evidence they were under the age of consent at the time.

Magistrate Scott Nash granted Kamm bail under strict conditions which require him to wear electronic monitoring and reside at a supervised correctional complex in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

He acknowledged that while the case against the 73-year-old was not weak, the delays in reaching a trial plus the onerous conditions Kamm already had to follow under an extended supervision order warranted his release.

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That order was imposed after Kamm was released on parole, being convicted of the child abuse of two separate complainants.

While the cult leader's criminal history included serious offences, Nash found he did not have a history of violence nor showed a pattern of failing to comply with court orders.

The imposition of strict conditions while the 73-year-old was out on bail mitigated many of the concerns the court had, the magistrate said.

Kamm wore prison greens as he watched the hearing by video-link from Parklea Correctional Centre.

Mathison, who attended court in person, waved to her husband after he was granted bail and before the video-link was disconnected.

Under the bail conditions, Kamm will be prohibited from using a smartphone or internet-capable device, using encrypted apps, or contacting Mathison, the complainant or any prosecution witness.

He will not be released from Parklea however, until a bed has been secured for him at the correctional complex.

The 78-year-old has been charged with grooming a child under 14 years for unlawful sexual activity, grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity and an aggravated offence of inciting a person to do a sexual act.

He has also been charged with two counts of failing to comply with a supervision order.

His wife has been charged with grooming a child under 14 years for unlawful sexual activity and grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity.

No pleas have been entered at this stage.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

Friends and family have paid tribute to the crash victims.