Biden calls for immediate ceasefire in call with Israel’s Netanyahu

President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to discuss the ongoing ceasefire and hostage release negotiations.

During the phone call, the two discussed a release deal that was first discussed in May of last year, according to White House officials. This agreement was unanimously approved by the UN Security Council.

“The president discussed regional circumstances that have fundamentally changed following the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the weakening of Iran’s power in the region,” he said . White House reported in a statement.

US LEGISLATORS REACT TO ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH Ceasefire Agreement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approves of the strikes

President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held 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 to reach a compromise for the past year to secure the release of the captured hostages and end the war between Israel and Hamas.

There has been a strong split in the negotiations and Hamas has said it will not release the captives with no clear end to the war, while Netanyahu has said it will continue until “total victory” over the militant group.

An Israeli soldier rides in a military vehicle

An Israeli soldier rides a military vehicle near Israel’s border with Lebanon in November 2024. (Reuters/Ronen Zvulun)

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Biden has stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire and the return of hostages with an increase in humanitarian aid.

Netanyahu said he only commits in the first phase to a partial release of hostages in exchange for a one-week halt in the fighting. Hamas calls for a total withdrawal and a complete end to the fighting.