AP, Reuters
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
CNN
—
President Joe Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to discuss progress on the hostage issue and a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Vice President Kamala Harris also participated in the call, according to a White House official.
The call came as Israel and Hamas appear to be close to agreeing on a framework for a deal, an Israeli source familiar with the negotiations told CNN. Hamas recently provided its response to the framework to Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries, which Israeli officials believe will allow the two sides to enter into detailed negotiations to reach an agreement. But no deal is yet finalized or certain.
According to a White House statement, Biden and Netanyahu discussed “ongoing efforts to finalize a hostage release and ceasefire agreement.”
“The leaders discussed the response recently received from Hamas,” the White House said in a statement. “The President welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision to authorize negotiators to work with U.S., Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries toward reaching an agreement.”
The White House wrote that Biden “reaffirmed our firm commitment to Israel’s security” and also announced that the two leaders’ national security teams would meet on July 15.
CNN previously reported that the US recently proposed new language to bridge the gap in talks towards a deal. The proposed language focused on the duration of the first phase of the proposal, during which Israel and Hamas are expected to hold further negotiations with the aim of moving to the second phase of the deal.
U.S. officials say the response appears constructive but that more work needs to continue.
An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, also told CNN that Netanyahu will convene a cabinet meeting on Thursday evening.
Biden and Netanyahu last met on May 6. A source familiar with the matter told CNN’s MJ Lee that the two are scheduled to meet in a few weeks when the Israeli prime minister visits Washington to address Congress. US and Israeli officials are still finalizing the logistical details of the Biden-Netanyahu meeting, which would likely take place at the White House. Barring a last-minute change in circumstances, the two leaders are likely to meet.
The call comes as Biden is fighting for his own political survival back home after being defeated by former President Donald Trump in a debate last week. His handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict remains a key concern for many Democrats, including younger voters.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
