Biden presses Netanyahu for quick agreement on arms ceasefire and hostage release
According to their conversation, the two politicians spoke about the "humanitarian crisis" in the Palestinian territory and the necessity of removing barriers in the provision of aid.
Biden and Netanyahu had met at the White House on Thursday. During the meeting, Netanyahu thanked Biden "for 50 years of public service and 50 years of support for the State of Israel." The Israeli prime minister also expressed his excitement "to discuss with you today and work together in the coming months."
Biden had said in a television address a few days after his decision not to run for another presidential candidacy that he would focus on issues such as ending the war in the GazStrip during the remaining months of his tenure.
The US has supported its close ally Israel militarily and diplomatically since the unprecedented attack by the Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas on the country on October 7. However, there have been significant differences, even irritations, between the two governments regarding Israel's military actions.
Netanyahu spoke with US Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday. The likely Democratic presidential candidate urged the swift conclusion of an agreement on a ceasefire between Israel and the Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas. On Friday, Netanyahu is expected to visit Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in the state of Florida.
- The US-President Joe Biden has expressed his desire to contribute towards resolving the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- The White House meeting between Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu also included discussions about the need for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
- During the conversation, Biden highlighted his intentions to focus on brokering an end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip before his term ends.
- Despite the US's consistent support for Israel, there have been disagreements over Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip, which has strained relations between the two nations.
- Following their meeting, Biden urged Netanyahu to expedite an agreement on a ceasefire, reiterating his support for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
- Netanyahu's subsequent conversation with US Vice President Kamala Harris also centered around the necessity of reaching a swift agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
- The release of Ahed Tamimi, a prominent Palestinian activist serving a prison sentence in Israel, could potentially contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis in the Gaza Strip.
