United States President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke again by telephone on Sunday about the conflict in the Gaza Strip, including the release of hostages held by Hamas and a cease-fire.
The two allied states “reviewed ongoing discussions on the release of hostages as well as an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,” the White House said in a statement, while diplomatic efforts in this direction intensify this Sunday.
A senior Hamas official announced that a delegation will give its response on Monday in Cairo to an Israeli truce proposal associated with the release of hostages, almost seven months after the start of the war triggered by the bloody attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement in Israel on October 7.
The United States, Qatar and Egypt have been trying for months to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas.
Biden reaffirms his opposition to an operation in Rafah
On the phone, MM. Biden and Netanyahu “also discussed an increase in the delivery of humanitarian aid (into the) Gaza Strip, notably through preparations for the opening this week of new crossing points in the north” of the Palestinian territory bombed and besieged by the Israeli army.
“The president insisted on the need for lasting and amplified progress in full coordination with humanitarian organizations,” according to the White House press release.
Under pressure from its American ally, Israel announced at the beginning of April “immediate measures to increase humanitarian aid” to Gaza, via the port of Ashdod and the Erez crossing point.
Regarding a possible Israeli assault on the city of Rafah (south), where a million and a half civilians are crowded, including many people displaced by the war, President Biden “reaffirmed his clear position” of opposition to such an operation, according to the White House.
