President Biden Calls For A Ceasefire Immediately When Talking To PM Netanyahu

Israeli tanks operate in the Gaza Strip. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - United States President Joe Biden called for a fresh ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, while speaking with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, the White House said.

Talks by telephone to stop the fighting immediately and release the remaining hostages in Gaza were carried out as US officials raced to reach a hostage-taking deal and a ceasefire before President Biden left office on January 20.

President Biden "enforced the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the return of the hostages with a surge in humanitarian aid made possible by the cessation of fighting based on the agreement," the White House said in a statement.

Meanwhile, PM Netanyahu informed President Biden of progress in talks, as well as about the mandate he has given to the high-level security delegation now in Doha, Qatar to advance the hostage-taking deal, PM Netanyahu said in a statement.

The two leaders also discussed "a fundamental change in the regional situation following the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, and the weakening of Iran's power in the region," the White House said.

Separately, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN's "State of the Union" program on Sunday the two sides were "very, very close" to reaching an agreement, but still had to finish it.

He said President Biden received the latest information daily on talks in Doha, where Israeli and Palestinian officials have said since Thursday last week that some progress has been made indirect talks between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

"We are still determined to use every day we have in the office to resolve this," Sullivan said.

"And we will not rule this out," he stressed.

He said there was still a chance to reach an agreement before President Biden left the White House, but that was also possible "Hamas, in particular, remains stubborn."

Israel launched its attack on Gaza after Palestinian militants led by Hamas attacked its southern region in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and holding more than 250 people hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Meanwhile, Gaza's medical sources confirmed the death toll from Palestinians in the enclave since the latest conflict broke out had reached 46,565, while injuries reached 109,660, citing WAFA.