Biden and Netanyahu analyze hostage release negotiations in new call: White House

Washington:

US President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone on Sunday and “reviewed ongoing negotiations” to release hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack on Israel, he said. the White House.

The two allies “reviewed ongoing talks to secure the release of the hostages, along with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,” the White House statement said, as diplomatic efforts intensified to reach a long-sought truce in Gaza. war-torn region.

The Israeli government has been under intense pressure from its global allies to reach a ceasefire, as well as from protesters inside Israel demanding the release of hostages captured by the Palestinian group during the attack that triggered the war.

Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been trying to broker a new truce for months.

Biden and Netanyahu “also discussed increases in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including through preparations to open new crossings into the north starting this week,” the statement said.

“The President highlighted the need for this progress to be sustained and improved in full coordination with humanitarian organizations,” he stated.

With aid agencies issuing increasingly dire warnings about a crisis in Gaza, Israel has been under increasing pressure – globally and specifically from the United States – to allow more aid into the territory.

Biden also “reiterated his clear position” on any Israeli attack on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the statement said.

Netanyahu has promised to send troops to Rafah, where more than 1.5 million civilians have taken refuge.

The Biden administration, while supportive of Israel, has repeatedly expressed alarm over the high number of civilian casualties in the Gaza offensive and has pressured Israel to delay any attack on Rafah.

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