President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Thursday morning about progress on a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“Previously I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to finalize an agreement that would result in a ceasefire along with the release of hostages – an agreement I outlined and is endorsed by the UN Security Council, the G7 and the countries around. the world,” Biden wrote on X.
Biden announced in late May a three-part proposal to end the fighting and return Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Hamas kidnapped about 250 hostages and killed about 1,200 people when the group attacked Israel on October 7.
More than 35,000 Palestinians, including women and children, died in the aftermath, as Israel attacks the territory in an effort to exterminate Hamas and rescue hostages, sparking international outrage and triggering protests across US campuses.
The Biden administration has stood by its ally, sending billions of dollars in military assistance to Israel. Some Democrats have pressed Biden to take a tougher line with Netanyahu over his conduct in the war, but members overwhelmingly support the country in the war.
The United Nations Security Council last month approved a US-sponsored resolution that called for an immediate and temporary ceasefire. The text of the resolution noted that Israel had “accepted” the framework established by Biden in May and called on Hamas to also accept the agreement.
The call comes less than three weeks before Netanyahu addresses Congress on July 24.
“Through thick and thin, over the past nine months, Israel has deeply appreciated vital American support,” Netanyahu wrote on X.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
