President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to discuss ongoing negotiations on the ceasefire and the release of hostages.
During the phone call, the two men discussed a release agreement first mooted in May of last year, according to White House officials. This agreement was unanimously approved by the UN Security Council.
“The president discussed fundamentally changed regional circumstances following the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the weakening of Iran’s power in the region” , the press release said. White House reported in a press release.
US lawmakers react to Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal
President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a phone call Sunday to discuss the ongoing ceasefire and hostage release negotiations, according to the White House. (Fox News)
The Biden administration, Egypt and Qatar have been trying for a year to reach a compromise to obtain the release of captured hostages and end the war between Israel and Hamas.
There was a deep division in the negotiations and Hamas said it would not do so. free the captives without a clear end to the war, while Netanyahu said he would continue it until “total victory” over the militant group.
An Israeli soldier travels in a military vehicle near the Israel-Lebanon border in November 2024. (Reuters/Ronen Zvulun)
Biden stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire and the return of hostages with increased humanitarian aid.
Netanyahu said he only engaged in the first phase, with a partial release of the hostages in exchange for a one-week cessation of the fighting. 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 “complete victory” was declared over Hamas. (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)
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During the call, Netanyahu thanked Biden for his support of Israel and America’s support for Israel’s security and national defense.
