WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden will host Jordanian King Abdullah II next week, the White House said in a statement, as talks continue in the region for a truce in Gaza. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the meeting will be “private” and will be followed by a readout, without giving a date for the meeting.
The development comes against the backdrop of dialogue for an agreement to release hostages and secure a truce between Hamas and Israel in Gaza following nearly seven months of war in Gaza. The dialogue, which come following months of efforts by mediators Qatar, Egypt, and the US to broker a new deal between Hamas and Israel, are at a critical juncture.
Washington has urged Hamas to accept the agreement. However, Hamas blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday of attempting to derail the proposed Gaza ceasefire deal with his threats to launch an offensive in Rafah.
The Jordanian ruler last visited the White House in February when he called for an immediate truce and warned an operation on Rafah would cause a “humanitarian catastrophe.”
