WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden spoke on a phone with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday and reviewed ongoing negotiations to free hostages held by Hamas since October 7, said the White House.
The two close allies discussed the ongoing talks to ensure the release of hostages together with an immediate ceasefire in the war-hit Gaza Strip, a White House statement said.
The Netanyahu government is under intense pressure from its international allies to reach a ceasefire, as well as from protesters within Israel seeking the release of hostages taken by the Palestinian group during the attack six months ago.
Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have been trying to broker a new truce for months.
Biden and Netanyahu also discussed the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza including through new northern crossings starting this week, the statement said.
It added the President emphasized the need for this progress to be sustained and enhanced in coordination with humanitarian aid organizations.
Israel under increasing pressure
With humanitarian agencies issuing dire warnings of a crisis in Gaza, Israel has come under increasing pressure, internationally and specifically from the United States to allow more assistance into the Palestinian territory.
The statement said Biden also reiterated his clear stance on any Israeli assault on Rafah city of Gaza.
Netanyahu has already announced to send troops into Rafah, where more than 1.5 million civilians are taking shelter.
The Biden administration, while supporting Israel, has repeatedly expressed concern over the heavy toll on civilians in the Gaza war and has asked Israel to stop attacking Rafah.
Meanwhile, a senior Hamas official said that the Palestinian group has no major issues with the latest proposal from Egypt and Israel for a Gaza ceasefire.
