US President Joe Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, the White House said.
In a statement following the call, the White House said Biden “reaffirmed his ironclad commitment to Israel’s security following the successful defense against Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack earlier this month.”
The two “also reviewed ongoing talks to secure the release of hostages together with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The President referred to his statement with 17 other world leaders demanding that Hamas release their citizens without delay to secure a ceasefire and relief for the people of Gaza.”
“The President and the Prime Minister also discussed increases in the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza including through preparations to open new northern crossings starting this week,” according to the White House statement.
“The President stressed the need for this progress to be sustained and enhanced in full coordination with humanitarian organizations. The leaders discussed Rafah and the President reiterated his clear position,” it concluded.
The New York Timeswhich cited two officials with direct knowledge of the plan, said before the call that Biden plans to speak with Netanyahu on the prospects of a possible ceasefire deal to obtain the release of some of the remaining hostages held since the Hamas-led terrorist attack of October 7.
Israeli media outlets said the two leaders would also discuss expected arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials by the International Criminal Court, and preparations for an incursion into Rafah.
Biden and Netanyahu previously held a phone call earlier in April. During that call, according to the White House, the President “made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers. He made clear that US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps.”
US officials later told NBC News that Biden warned Netanyahu during the call that the US could condition military aid to Israel on what it does to address humanitarian concerns in Gaza and get to a ceasefire as soon as possible.
Biden has also been vocal in his opposition to an Israeli operation in the Gazan city of Rafah.
On Sunday, the Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported that in recent days the US and Egypt have increased the pressure on Hamas to agree to a deal to release hostages in exchange for a ceasefire, in order to prevent Israeli military entry into Rafah.
According to the report, the Egyptian mediators made it clear to Hamas that this was the best deal they could get, and if it was not met, Israel would be able to enter Rafah legally.
It was also reported that Egypt would try to arrange a phased deal so that in its first phase, hostages would be released in exchange for a ceasefire – and issues such as the cessation of hostilities or the control of Gaza on the day after, would be postponed to a second phase and be discussed later on.
Later on Sunday, an Israeli diplomatic official responded to criticism that has been leveled at the government for contemplating the Egyptian deal.
“The preparations for entering Rafah are continuing. In any deal, if there is one, Israel will not give up the goals of the war,” said the official.
(Israel National News’ North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of the Seventh Day of Passover in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)
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