U.S. President Joe Biden held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, discussing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, according to the White House. The White House stated in a brief announcement that the call, which included Vice President Kamala Harris, addressed "the ceasefire, a deal for the release of hostages, and diplomatic efforts to contain regional tensions."
An American official mentioned that President Biden is expected to discuss with Netanyahu ways to continue negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and the exchange of hostages. It is anticipated that Biden will pressure Netanyahu to ease a new demand that allows Israeli forces to maintain a presence along the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
This call follows a quick visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the Middle East, which ended on Tuesday without reaching an agreement between Israel and Hamas. Blinken and mediators from Egypt and Qatar are pinning their hopes on an American proposal to bridge the gaps between the two sides in the ongoing Gaza conflict, which has lasted for ten months.
