US PRESIDENT Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by telephone “reviewing ongoing talks” to free hostages held by Hamas, the White House said.
“The two allies reviewed ongoing talks to secure the release of hostages and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,” a White House statement said, as diplomatic efforts intensify to achieve a long-sought ceasefire in the war-torn region.
The Israeli government is under intense pressure from its global allies to reach a ceasefire, as well as from protesters in Israel demanding the release of hostages captured by Palestinian militant groups in attacks that sparked the war.
Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been trying to broker a new ceasefire for months.
“Biden and Netanyahu also discussed increasing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza including through preparations for the opening of a new northern crossing starting this week,” the statement said.
“The President emphasized the need for this progress to be maintained and enhanced through full coordination with humanitarian organizations,” he said.
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As humanitarian agencies issue increasingly dire warnings regarding the crisis in Gaza, Israel is under increasing pressure – globally and especially from the United States – to allow more aid into the territory.
Biden also “reaffirmed his clear position” once morest any Israeli attacks on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the statement said.
Netanyahu has vowed to send troops to Rafah, where more than 1.5 million civilians have sought refuge.
The Biden administration, while supporting Israel, has repeatedly raised concerns over the large number of civilian casualties in the Gaza offensive and has pressed Israel to delay the Rafah offensive. (AFP/Z-3)
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