President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to discuss a ceasefire and hostage release negotiations.
During the phone call, the two discussed the release agreement that was first discussed last May, according to White House officials. This agreement was unanimously approved by the UN Security Council.
“The president discussed the fundamentally changed regional circumstances following the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the weakening of Iranian power in the region,” The white house he reported in a press release.
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President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone conversation Sunday to discuss a ceasefire and hostage release negotiations, according to the White House. (Fox News)
The Biden administration, Egypt and Qatar have been trying to reach a compromise for the past year in an effort to secure the release of the hostages and end the war between Israel and Hamas.
There was a sharp split in the negotiations and Hamas said it would not release the prisoners with no clear end to the war, while Netanyahu said he would continue until “total victory” over the militant group.
An Israeli soldier rides in a military vehicle near Israel’s border with Lebanon in November 2024. (Reuters/Ronen Zvulun)
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Biden stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire and the return of hostages, along with an increase in humanitarian aid.
Netanyahu said it is dedicated only to the first phase with the partial release of the hostages in exchange for a one-week cessation of hostilities. Hamas demands a complete withdrawal and a complete end to the fighting.
Netanyahu said he would not call for an end to the war until “total victory” over Hamas is declared. (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)
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During the conversation, Netanyahu thanked Biden for his support of Israel and American support security of Israel and national defense.
