Biden, Netanyahu confer on progress in Gaza cease-fire, hostage talks with Hamas

1 of two | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and U.S. President Joe Biden (L) spoke Thursday on ongoing efforts to finalize a possible cease-fire deal linked with the discharge of hostages as Israel and Hamas gave the impression to be near a long-sought breakthrough in negotiations. File Pool Photograph by Miriam Alster/UPI | License Photo

July 4 (UPI) — President Joe Biden conferred with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday to debate new developments on a attainable hostage and Gaza cease-fire take care of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The White Home additionally stated Biden and Netanyahu agreed that U.S. and Israeli nationwide safety groups would meet on July 15.

Vice President Kamala Harris was reportedly on the decision as properly.

The 2 leaders touched on ongoing efforts to finalize a possible cease-fire deal linked with the discharge of hostages as Israel Hamas look like at a “fairly important opening” for a attainable deal, an Israeli supply told CNN.

The broadcaster additionally reported that Netanyahu had plans for a late night time cupboard assembly.

A U.S. supply told the Jerusalem Post there was a breakthrough on what had been a essential sticking level in reaching an settlement on Biden’s proposed deal, which was endorsed last month by the United Nations Safety Council.

“The framework of the deal is now totally in keeping with the President’s speech and the U.N. Safety Council decision,” the official informed the Submit.

America has requested Qatar and Egypt to stress Hamas into accepting the revised deal. Hostage talks are anticipated to be held in Doha, Qatar’s capital, beginning as early as Friday and can final for a number of days, Israeli officers stated.

The Biden administration final month proposed new language for parts of the ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas after negotiations stalled.

This comes because the Hamas-run Gaza Well being Ministry claims greater than 38,000 Palestinians have died and greater than 87,000 injured since Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

Throughout their Thursday dialog, Biden and Netanyahu mentioned Hamas’ response to the revised proposal, the White Home stated, emphasizing Biden “welcomed” Netanyahu’s choice to authorize Israeli officers to have interaction with Qatari, Egyptian and U.S. mediators within the effort to shut out negotiations.

Biden additionally “reaffirmed his ironclad dedication to Israel’s safety” within the face of latest and escalating threats from Iranian-backed terrorist teams, equivalent to Hezbollah positioned primarily in Lebanon.

The U.S. just lately deployed an amphibious assault ship to the japanese Mediterranean Sea, meant to behave as a navy deterrent in a present of pressure as tensions mount alongside the border with Lebanon to Israel’s north.

The vessel arrived the identical day Hezbollah fired at least 200 rockets into northern Israel. One Israeli soldier was reported killed within the Golan Heights in what gave the impression to be a tit-for-tat escalation following Wednesday’s killing of high-ranking Hezbollah chief Muhammad Nimah Nasser throughout Israeli navy airstrikes within the coastal metropolis of Tyre.