US President Biden updated the Israeli Prime Minister on efforts to reach a hostage release agreement including ongoing negotiations in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
Israeli soldiers and artillery are deployed near the Gaza Strip. Photo: AFP.
President Biden also reiterated America’s position that it does not support an Israeli ground operation in Rafah without a plan to protect hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in this area. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister agreed to ensure that the Kerem Shalom border gate will continue to be open so that humanitarian aid can be transported to the people.
The phone call between the US President and the Israeli Prime Minister took place just a few hours after Israel asked Palestinians to evacuate some areas in Rafah.
Meanwhile, the White House said it was reviewing Hamas’s response to the ceasefire proposal and the release of hostages. According to White House spokesman John Kirby, the US wants the hostages to be freed, all sides to cease fire within 6 weeks and humanitarian aid to be increased in the near future.
