TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The White House on Sunday said U.S. President Joe Biden had again spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as pressure builds on Israel and Hamas to reach a deal that would free some Israeli hostages and bring a cease-fire in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.
The White House said that Biden reiterated his “clear position” as Israel plans to invade Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah despite global concern for more than 1 million Palestinians sheltering there. The U.S. opposes the invasion on humanitarian grounds, straining relations between the allies. Israel is among the countries U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit as he returns to the Middle East on Monday.
Biden also stressed that progress in delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza be “sustained and enhanced,” according to the statement. The call lasted just under an hour, and they agreed the onus remains on Hamas to accept the latest offer in negotiations, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official wasn’t authorized to comment publicly. There was no comment from Netanyahu’s office.
Independent UN experts urge Yemen’s Houthis to free detained Baha'i followers
AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa
Emily Ratajkowski displays her cleavage and backside as she dons thong in VERY sexy shoot
Mohammad Mokhber: Who is Iran’s acting president?
Alexandre Pantoja to defend flyweight title in native Brazil against Steve Erceg
Position switch back in high school pays off for Seahawks' first
Lil' Kim's Quiet Storm dance moves helped SAVE woman from drive
Storms damage homes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But in Houston, most power is restored
Barry Keoghan enjoys the spoils of his superstardom by watch shopping on Bond Street
Ben Whishaw lights up the Croisette as he joins his co
Churchill Downs unveils new $200 million paddock ahead of the 150th Kentucky Derby