Biden speaks with Netanyahu during ceasefire negotiations in Qatar

President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to discuss ongoing negotiations on an agreement Ceasefire and hostage release agreement With Hamas.

The White House said that during the call, the two leaders discussed the deal based on the arrangement set out by Biden last year.

The White House said in a statement: “The President discussed the changing regional conditions primarily in the wake of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and the weakening of Iran’s power in the region.”

Netanyahu’s office said on Sunday that the prime minister informed Biden of how the talks were progressing.

Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, “The Prime Minister discussed with the American President the progress in the negotiations for the release of the hostages and briefed him on the mandate he granted to the negotiating team in Doha with the aim of advancing the release of the hostages.” statement.

The Biden administration is pressing for an agreement before the presidential inauguration on January 20, which will see President-elect Donald Trump return to the White House.

Netanyahu’s office said on Saturday that this was an indication of progress in the ongoing talks in Doha David Barnea, director of the foreign intelligence agency Mossad, is scheduled to travel to Qatar. It was not immediately clear when Barnea will travel to Doha to attend the final round of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas. However, his presence means that high-ranking Israeli officials who would have to sign any agreement are now participating, the Associated Press reported.

The talks brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar have repeatedly faltered. A brief ceasefire was reached only once in the first weeks of fighting.

The White House said, “(Mr. Biden) stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of the hostages, along with an increase in humanitarian aid thanks to the cessation of fighting under the agreement.” “The Prime Minister thanked the President for his continued support for Israel and for his continued support for Israel.” Exceptional support from the United States For the sake of Israel’s security and national defense.”

Trump’s incoming special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, visited Qatar and Israel this week.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this week that the agreement was “very close” and expressed hope that it would be completed before the diplomacy was handed over to the incoming Trump administration. But American officials have expressed similar optimism on several occasions over the past year.

Israel launched an attack on the Gaza Strip after declaring war on Hamas following the deadly attacks launched by the movement’s militants on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people. Another 251 were taken hostage.

Israeli bombing and ground invasion of Gaza More than 46 thousand Palestinians were killedMore than half of them are women and children, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its statistics.